Former Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) chairman Kahi Indumuli has officially thrown his hat into the ring for the Vihiga gubernatorial seat in 2027, positioning himself as the candidate to shift the county from opposition politics to the heart of government.
His declaration comes amid growing visibility and perceived backing from the national leadership. Recently, Indumuli represented President William Ruto in Vihiga, where he delivered Ksh 2.5 million to support five local football clubs—an act widely seen as an early signal of political goodwill and alignment with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
The gesture followed a presidential rally in Mbale town last month, where Indumuli stood out among local leaders by lobbying for support for the teams. The President responded with a pledge, later fulfilled through Indumuli, who appeared at the event clad in UDA party regalia—underscoring both loyalty and intent.
Each of the five teams—Vihiga United, Luanda Villa FC, Vihiga Queens, Bunyore Starlets, and Vihiga Sportiff FC—received Ksh 500,000. President Ruto also promised to provide two buses to boost the teams’ logistics.
Beyond sports, Indumuli is staking his campaign on development. He is credited with championing the ongoing construction of the Ksh 900 million Kidundu Stadium, envisioned as a modern facility to nurture talent and host major matches.
Speaking on behalf of Vihiga United, Indumuli thanked the President for the support, noting it would help clear debts and sustain club operations.
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The former educationist says his political journey was shaped by local pressure. After retiring in 2022, he initially considered running for the Sabatia parliamentary seat, but residents urged him to aim higher.
Since then, he has been actively engaging community groups across the county, holding consultations and consolidating support ahead of 2027.
Vihiga County is currently led by Governor Wilbur Otichilo of ODM, who is serving his second and final term after succeeding Moses Akaranga. Indumuli’s central campaign message is clear: align Vihiga with the national government to unlock development.
Among his key pledges is the expansion of the accident-prone Chavakali–Kapsabet road. He says his administration would work with the national government to widen the road and install safety features.
He has also flagged insecurity in Luanda as a barrier to investment, promising to push for increased deployment of security personnel.
On healthcare, Indumuli has pledged to resolve payment challenges facing Community Health Promoters (CHPs), emphasizing their critical role in grassroots service delivery. He advocates for stronger collaboration between county and national governments to ensure timely remuneration.
His development blueprint further includes completing stalled markets along the Serem–Chavakali road to relocate traders from dangerous roadside spaces while boosting county revenue collection.
Indumuli also promises prudent use of devolved funds and reforms in education, including better implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). He has proposed an independent body to handle student placement—similar to the university admissions system—to ensure fairness and professionalism.
With early mobilization underway and a campaign anchored on development and national alignment, Indumuli is shaping up as a key contender in the 2027 Vihiga gubernatorial race.
By Wakhungu Andanje
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