By Wasike Elvis 

Keiyo South parliamentary aspirant Micah Kigen has formally intensified his campaign for the constituency’s parliamentary seat, unveiling the Keiyo South Queens, a women-led mobilisation team that will spearhead his campaigns across the constituency’s wards.

Kigen, who is seeking the seat on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket, said the launch marked the official beginning of his grassroots campaign, promising to focus his political agenda on unity, economic empowerment, employment creation and sustainable development.

Addressing supporters during the launch, Kigen said women in Keiyo South had become more politically conscious and were ready to make independent decisions about the kind of leadership they want.

He said the women had assessed the leadership they have experienced in recent years and were now demanding leaders who could provide long-term solutions to economic challenges rather than relying on handouts.

According to Kigen, the constituency has enormous economic potential that can be unlocked through proper leadership and strategic investment.

He pointed to the constituency’s large tracts of land, forests, favourable weather and other natural resources as some of the assets that could be leveraged to create employment and improve the livelihoods of residents.

“I am ripe in politics since 2007. I have been a team leader and a team player in Keiyo South, and I love the people of Keiyo South. That is why I am always with them,” Kigen said.

He accused the current leadership of what he described as “chest-thumping leadership” and overreliance on handouts, saying such politics could not deliver sustainable development to residents.

Kigen said his campaign would instead promote an approach where residents, particularly women and young people, are given opportunities and support to build sustainable sources of income.

He said this approach was in line with President William Ruto’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which he argued was focused on empowering people to participate in economic activities instead of simply giving them cash.

“The President started the Bottom-Up approach, which is about empowering people. It is not about giving handouts. It is about giving people something to do and opening opportunities for them,” he said.

Kigen pledged that, if elected, he would work to attract investors to Keiyo South and establish economic activities capable of creating jobs for young people.

He specifically cited the potential of the Kaptagat Forest area, saying part of the constituency’s vast resources could be explored to attract international investors and establish industries.

He said the investment would provide employment opportunities while also opening new markets for local residents and businesses.

“Keiyo South is rich and there is enough for all of us. What is required is a team captain who can steer Keiyo South to prosperity,” Kigen said.

He described himself as the “team captain” who would unite residents and ensure that development opportunities reach people across the constituency.

Kigen said his political vision was to create a constituency where every resident could prosper, regardless of their background or political affiliation.

He further pledged to make women empowerment and youth employment key pillars of his manifesto.

He said women would be supported to establish and grow businesses while young people would be connected to employment, entrepreneurship and other economic opportunities.

Kigen also used the occasion to call for peaceful politics ahead of the 2027 General Election, urging political leaders and their supporters to avoid personal attacks, name-calling and character assassination.

He said political competition should be based on ideas, policies and development agendas rather than hostility between rival camps.

“As we launch the women today, we want peaceful elections devoid of name-calling and character assassination. We are going to do politics where people are respected,” he said.

Kigen expressed confidence that his campaign would gain significant support during the UDA nomination process, predicting a decisive victory.

He argued that residents were tired of what he termed divisive and belittling leadership and were looking for a new political direction.

He said his campaign would criss-cross all the wards in Keiyo South, engaging residents on his development agenda and explaining the opportunities he intends to pursue if elected.

The aspirant also invoked the legacy of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, whom he described as a friend and a leader whose political ideals he admired.

Kigen said Raila, whom he referred to as a leader who opposed handouts and championed unity and development, remained an inspiration to him.

He said he would seek to emulate the late opposition chief’s emphasis on empowering citizens and uniting communities.

Kigen also pledged to maintain transparency in leadership and said he would work with different groups across Keiyo South to advance the constituency's interests.

At the same time, Kigen declared his support for President William Ruto's re-election bid, saying his decision to run on the UDA platform would enable him to work closely with the national government.

He said he would be among President Ruto’s strongest supporters on the ground and would ensure that Keiyo South benefits from government programmes and development projects.

Kigen argued that supporting the President would enable the constituency to effectively position itself to benefit from national development initiatives.

He said his administration would seek to complement the national government's development agenda while ensuring that local priorities remained at the centre of his leadership.

Women Back Kigen’s Bid

The newly launched Keiyo South Queens said they had chosen to support Kigen because of what they described as his vision, humility and commitment to empowering women.

Joan Kemboi from Metkei Ward said the women had come together because they believed Kigen was capable of providing a different style of leadership.

She said his focus on women's empowerment and employment opportunities had convinced them to back his parliamentary bid.

Kemboi criticised what she described as a culture of giving women small cash handouts during political campaigns, saying residents needed sustainable opportunities instead.

“We don't want handouts of Sh200. We want opportunities that can transform our lives,” she said.

She urged residents across Keiyo South to support Kigen while also calling on young people to reject political violence.

Kemboi cautioned youths against being used as goons by politicians to attack their opponents, urging them to protect peace in the constituency.

She said the women would take Kigen's message to residents in their respective wards and mobilise support for his campaign.

Another supporter, Anita Cherotich, said she would support Kigen because she considers him a visionary leader with a clear plan for the constituency.

Cherotich said Kigen's approach of helping people access opportunities rather than relying on handouts was one of the reasons she had confidence in his leadership.

She described him as humble and God-fearing and said the women believed he could deliver the kind of leadership they were seeking.

The launch of the Keiyo South Queens signals an early effort by Kigen to establish a strong grassroots network ahead of the 2027 elections, with the women expected to play a key role in mobilising voters and spreading his development message across the constituency.

Kigen said his campaign would now focus on taking his manifesto to every part of Keiyo South, with unity, development, women empowerment, youth employment and investment forming the core of his political agenda.