VIHIGA, Kenya — Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi has officially declared his bid for the Vihiga gubernatorial seat in the 2027 General Election, setting the stage for a contest to succeed Governor Wilber Ottichilo, who is serving his second and final term in office.
In a statement issued on Monday, Osotsi unveiled his campaign platform, saying his bid would be anchored on three key pillars: People First, Strong Leadership and Prosperous Vihiga.
The first-term senator said he is seeking to transition from the Senate to the county’s top leadership position, promising to offer leadership focused on improving service delivery and advancing the county’s development agenda.
Governor Ottichilo has led Vihiga County since August 2017 after winning the gubernatorial election and is constitutionally barred from seeking a third consecutive term.
Osotsi’s announcement comes as political activity continues to gather momentum across the country, with leaders positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The senator has recently emerged as one of the vocal opposition figures allied to the Linda Mwananchi movement and has repeatedly argued that public support, rather than financial resources, will determine the outcome of the next election.
Speaking during an interview in April this year, Osotsi claimed that attempts to influence political rallies through financial spending had failed, citing opposition events held in Kakamega, Busia, Mombasa and Kisumu.
“Money will not be a factor from what I have seen so far. I have seen Kakamega, they spent Sh50 million, Busia Sh10 million, Mombasa Sh50 million and Kisumu, probably they may have spent even more because of the number of politicians involved,” Osotsi said.
“From where I sit, money won’t be a factor, but the resolve of the people is what will matter.”
The senator also challenged the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), arguing that financial strength alone would not be enough to secure victory in the next General Election.
“This is a lesson that UDA has to learn — you can have the money, but if you don’t have the people, they will eat your money, and they will not deliver what you want,” he said.