George Natembeya’s CECM Phanice Khatundi to Vie for Trans Nzoia Woman Rep Seat in 2027
- The 2027 Trans Nzoia county woman MP seat race is likely to be a repeat of the 2022 General Election contest
- A vocal Trans Nzoia County Executive Committee Member (CECM) has joined the race to unseat incumbent Lilian Siyoi
- The CECM who finished second in 2022 believes she has what it takes to represent the people of Trans Nzoia in the National Assembly
A fierce political battle is building up in Trans Nzoia county as politicians prepare for the 2027 General Election.
Source: Facebook
One of the seats that is likely to be hotly contested is the County Woman Member of Parliament.
Governor George Natembeya’s County Executive Committee Member (CECM), Phanice Khatundi, has now formally joined the race to unseat the current holder of the seat, Lilian Siyoi.
Khatundi made the declaration on Thursday, July 10, when addressing hundreds of cooperatives stakeholders at the Kitale Museum.
Search option is now available at TUKO! Feel free to search the content on topics/people you enjoy reading about in the top right corner ;)
Why Khatundi wants to be Trans Nzoia woman rep
According to the Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives CECM, her performance in the role has adequately prepared her for the job.
"As I speak to you, I have been ranked the best agriculture CECM in Kenya for two consecutive years. My track record speaks for me, and I want to take my leadership skills to the National Assembly as your next woman representative," she declared.
She also took the opportunity to take a swipe at the current holder of the position, whom she lost to in the 2022 election.
According to Khatundi, Siyoi has failed to advocate for the interests of those who elected her to Parliament.
"If you turn on your radio or TV, chances are very high that you will hear other County Women MPs articulating issues that matter to their constituents, but here in Trans Nzoia and the larger Western region, our women representatives are very quiet and yet many women and children are suffering. I am here to challenge the status quo and give you a different taste of leadership,” she said.
Khatundi, who in the 2022 General Election ran on the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) ticket, said that she will capitalise on her deep voice to champion the interests of the people of Trans Nzoia.
"You know, God gave me a deep voice that in another life I would have been a pastor. But because I am a politician, I will use my voice to the maximum to ensure that the rights and the welfare of women, children, youth and people with disabilities are protected, just try me by giving me your vote," she noted.
The CECM further noted that she understands the needs of her constituents.
Source: Original
She also enumerated some of her notable achievements as the agriculture CECM, pointing out that she is proud that she implemented Governor George Natembeya's "Fukuza Njaa" initiative through the distribution of subsidised maize seeds.
How many votes did Phanice Khatundi get in 2022?
In the last general elections, Khatundi garnered 65,641 votes to finish second behind Siyoi (UDA), who won with 102,488.
Former Health Cabinet Secretary, Susan Nakhumicha, who contested on the Ford Kenya ticket, came third with 32,497 votes while the then woman representative, Janet Nangabo, who had served for two terms, came forth with 13,822 votes.
Khatundi and Siyoi trade blows
Previously, TUKO.co.ke reported that the CECM and Siyoi engaged in a public spat over Natembeya's performance since he was elected.
Trouble started when the woman rep questioned Natembeya's development track record and dismissed an initiative to give vulnerable locals free maize seeds.
The CECM, however, hit out at the legislator, whom she accused of being interested in the governor's bedroom affairs instead of his work.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Joshua Cheloti (Editorial assistant) Joshua Cheloti is a multi-skilled journalist with over 5 years of experience in the media industry. He holds a Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication and is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Media and Communication at Mount Kenya University. At TUKO, he's an editorial assistant. Before TUKO, he worked at Nairobi Review as an editorial writer, at Hope Media (Hope TV and Hope FM) as a correspondent in Eldoret, Hivisasa.com digital content editor and online writer, at Biblia Husema Broadcasting (BHB), Eldoret as Radio Presenter. Email: Joshua.cheloti@tuko.co.ke
Emanuel Tarus I am professional multi-media journalist with eight years experience as a field-based correspondent. Integrity, objectivity and adherence to ethical standards are my guiding principles in journalism. I am based in Trans Nzoia county and very passionate about gender, crime, environment and climate change reporting. I am also interested in health, human interest, development, leadership and governance beats. In the future, I would like to specialize in diplomacy and geopolitics reporting to expand my reporting scope.
