A new generation of political leadership is taking root in Migori County as former Kenyatta University student leader Clifford Kiriga formally declared his intention to contest the Kuria West parliamentary seat.
In an exclusive and wide-ranging interview with the media in Isebania border town, Kiriga laid out a fierce critique of the current political establishment, positioning himself as a candidate for profound change.
The aspirant, who transitioned from an active student politician to a first-time voter in 2022, is challenging the incumbent MP Mathias Robi.
His campaign is anchored on combating what he termed the “backwardness” and ethnic marginalization he claims have plagued the region for decades.
“The time for a narrative change is now,” Kiriga stated during the interview.
Addressing Deep-Rooted Socio-Cultural and Economic Issues, he expressed profound dissatisfaction with the lack of economic stimulus in his minority Kuria community compared to the thriving economic programs he observed among the neighboring Luo community.
This perceived disparity, he argued, fuels a sense of “ethnic alienation” that has been neglected by past and current leaders.
His comprehensive agenda includes:
Youth and Women Empowerment: Pledging robust programs to uplift these key demographics.
Security and Conflict Resolution: Actively engaging in mediating perennial land disputes (Kuria/Kipsigis) and serious cross-border conflicts, which he claims community leadership has failed to address.
Leadership and Anti-Corruption: Vowing to fight graft and ensure transparent use of public funds.
Healthcare and Education: Improving access to quality social services.
He also waded into highly sensitive cultural and political issues, demonstrating a bold approach to leadership.
He specifically criticized the political leadership’s failure to address retrogressive cultural practices, particularly the rampant issue of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) within the community.
He vowed to use his platform to advocate for an end to the practice through education and legal enforcement.
Furthermore, he weighed in on the ongoing political crisis at the county level: the looming impeachment of Migori Deputy Governor Joseph Mahiri.
With MCAs accusing Mahiri of abuse of office and misuse of millions meant for peace initiatives in the Kuria region, Kiriga used the situation as a case study for the systemic corruption he aims to rectify.
Recent reports highlight MCA Moses Magwe’s push for the motion, citing unaccounted funds from 2022–2025 Auditor General reports and allegations of nepotism favoring Mahiri’s sub-clan, despite the Kuria community’s significant political support for the county.
Magwe has rejected bribery claims to drop the motion, vowing to proceed amid threats to his safety.“Such issues of accountability are precisely why a new breed of leadership is necessary,” he said.
The youthful aspirant is setting his sights on the vote-rich Kuria West constituency, which had 59,337 registered voters according to the 2022 IEBC records.
The race is poised to be a compelling battle between an established political figure—incumbent Robi, a Jubilee Party (now UDA-affiliated) MP who secured re-election in 2022 amid William Ruto’s strong showing in the region—and a young, dynamic newcomer promising a fresh start and a “new narrative” for the people of Kuria West.
While his candidacy appears nascent with limited public mentions in recent national coverage, his entry amplifies calls for reform in a constituency long marked by ethnic tensions, resource disputes, and governance challenges.
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