On Saturday, Dr. Nakhumicha, who currently serves as Kenya’s Permanent Representative to UN-Habitat, announced her bid during the burial of retired senior chief Geoffrey Jomo Mutoka at Stovar Farm in Kiminini Constituency.

She vowed to give Natembeya and other contestants a tough contest, making it clear that she is not eyeing the women’s representative seat. Instead, she declared, her focus is firmly set on the governor’s position.

Nakhumicha will likely face off against Governor George Natembeya, his 2022 rival Chris Wamalwa, and Kiminini MP Maurice Bisau.

She urged Trans Nzoia residents to back her gubernatorial bid, pointing to her track record in channeling development funds to the county during her time as Health Cabinet Secretary.

She reminded locals that her influence in the national government secured over Ksh600 million for key projects, including Matunda Sub-County Hospital, Kitale Medical Training College (KMTC), and infrastructure upgrades in schools across Kiminini.

“At least, on account of my presence in the national government, over Sh600 million was allocated to various projects such as Matunda Sub-County Hospital, Kitale Medical Training College (KMTC), and infrastructure development in some schools in Kiminini. I am above the county women’s representative seat and I ask you to support my bid for governor,” she said.

Nakhumicha also braced her supporters for a heated political contest, saying she was ready to challenge her male rivals for the county’s top seat.

“I am prepared to face the men jostling for the seat. I have all it takes to clinch the seat,” she declared.

Nakhumicha lost the 2022 Woman Representative race, finishing third behind Phanice Khatundi and winner Lilian Siyoi. After the polls, she was appointed to the Cabinet but later dismissed during the G-Z protests.

She is regarded as a close confidant of the Speaker of the National Assembly, and political analysts believe she is likely to secure the Ford Kenya (FK) ticket.

The burial where Nakhumicha announced her bid turned political, with Sikhendu MCA Andrew Kutitila warning against schemes to oust Natembeya.

“We cannot allow our own people to be used by external forces to influence the impeachment of the governor. We are aware of their scheme to frustrate him and we are going to stand with him,” Kutitila said.

Nakhumicha’s entry into the race comes amid claims of a larger political strategy by Kenya Kwanza leaders to cut down Natembeya’s rising popularity.

According to sources quoted by the Standard, President William Ruto and Moses Wetang’ula are working on strategies to dislodge Natembeya after earlier efforts to link him to corruption flopped.

“After they realised the scheme to silence him by implicating him in corruption failed, they are now working on a strategy to field a candidate to challenge Natembeya in the next polls,” a confidant of one aspirant told the paper.