Renowned city lawyer Gad Awuonda has officially announced his candidacy for the Migori senatorial seat in the upcoming 2027 general elections.
Mr Awuonda, a distinguished legal expert specializing in legislative drafting, legal research, law reform, human rights, public policy formulation, and legal audits, is on a mission to unseat the incumbent senator, Eddy Okech, whom he feels could have done better on oversight of the county executive and contributing more to the furtherance of constitutional objectives on devolution at the national level..
In an exclusive interview, Mr Awuonda, a resident of God Jope Ward in Suna East, highlighted his extensive legal experience, including his role as a key legal drafter of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 making him at a vintage point of spearheading the agenda on devolved functions.
He served as the lead legislative drafter and coordinator for the Committee of Experts on the Review of the Constitution of Kenya and believes his expertise in governance makes him the ideal candidate to elevate the county’s oversight functions for the benefit of Migori residents, who he says have suffered under poor leadership.
He pointed to the wanton corruption cases pitting both the previous and current regime as evidence of the need for stronger oversight.
Awuonda criticized the weak performance of previous senators, stating, “We have had weak senators who cannot stand up and effectively oversee county expenditures. This has left Migori residents at the mercy of cartels who have taken our county hostage.”
He emphasizes that competence and integrity in public service are crucial to addressing issues such as underdevelopment, unemployment, and the lack of opportunities for youth.
Awuonda, making his first debutfor the Senate, is expected to face stiff competition from other city-based lawyers, including Willis Misare, Engineer Victor Okuna, and Holly Okwama, all of whom unsuccessfully vied for the seat in 2022.
The last election saw a wave of youthful aspirants, many under 40, stepping forward to replace former Senator Ochillo Ayacko despite their lack of political backgrounds.
Among his rivals, Victor Okuna, who also hails from God Jope in Suna East, has previously advocated for reserving the Senate seat for younger candidates.
He argued that older politicians should focus on the governor’s race, while women have their seats reserved, leaving the Senate seat open for equitable distribution among the youth.
Despite the power of incumbency held by Senator Okech, Awuonda believes the 2027 race will be a game-changer, driven by ideas rather than political machinery.
“The Gen Z revolution currently being witnessed in Kenya is a testament that our old system of politics is outdated. This will be a purely idea-based campaign, devoid of political machinations,” he stated.
Awuonda’s notable achievements include serving as the first County Attorney and legal advisor for Nairobi City County under the new Constitution of Kenya, 2010.
In this capacity, he played a pivotal role in transitioning the city from the former Nairobi City Council structures to the autonomous county government within the devolved governance framework of the Republic of Kenya.
His contributions to the development of key legal frameworks and instruments have since become templates for all 47 counties in Kenya.
Beginning his career as a State Counsel at the Attorney General’s Chambers, Awuonda rose to the rank of Senior State Counsel before pursuing other professional interests. He also served as a Senior Human Rights Officer at the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, further establishing his credentials as a human rights specialist.
Awuonda is the founder and partner at Legislative Policy Associates, a multi-professional firm providing legislative drafting, law reform, public policy formulation and drafting, and research consultancy services in Kenya and the region. He is also a practicing advocate of the High Court of Kenya and a member of the Commonwealth Association of Legislative Counsel, credentials he believes place him in a strong position to run for the Senate.
A passionate advocate for well-designed public policy frameworks aimed at advancing human well-being, particularly in developing societies, Awuonda paints a picture of a dedicated statesman who believes Kenyans deserve competent and compassionate leadership. He expresses deep concern over the growing incompetence and casual approach to work in public service, both at the national and county levels, which he argues hampers progress.
Opposed to empty and cynical political propaganda, Awuonda calls for genuine public discourse on issues affecting the quality of life for the people. He advocates for clean, serious, and demagoguery-free politics conducted in the public interest, while also acknowledging the need to play by current political rules to gain the mandate and power necessary to bring about meaningful change.
About the Author
