For young Diana Ontiri, entering the male-dominated race for the Nyaribari Masaba parliamentary seat was deliberate.

Ontiri says her candidature is aimed at challenging a political culture that has traditionally favoured men and demonstrating that women and young people can compete for elective positions.

Her entry adds a new dimension to an increasingly competitive contest in the Kisii constituency, where incumbent MP Daniel Manduku is seeking another term.

But for Ontiri, the race is about more than winning a parliamentary seat. It is also about breaking a political barrier.

“I did not enter this race because I think politics belongs to women or men. I entered because leadership belongs to anyone who has the courage, vision and commitment to serve the people,” Ontiri said in an interview in Keroka.

She believes the time has come for women in the Gusii community to move beyond supporting political campaigns from the sidelines and take a more active role in decision-making.

“Our mothers have raised families, built businesses, educated children and held communities together. They have demonstrated leadership every day. Why should Parliament be different?” she asked.

Ontiri’s candidature has attracted attention among some residents, particularly women and young people, who say her decision has introduced a different conversation ahead of the 2027 elections.

Grace Gesanda, a resident of the constituency, said Ontiri’s entry had given women a reason to consider seeking elective office.

“Whether she wins or not, she has already opened a door. Our daughters need to see women standing before crowds and asking for votes, not only supporting men who are seeking office,” she said.

John Matundura, a mechanic, said Ontiri’s candidature reflected changing attitudes towards political participation in the constituency.

“We want leaders who can listen to ordinary people. If Diana believes she can provide that leadership, let her come and tell us what she wants to do. We should not dismiss her simply because she is a woman,” he said.

Development concerns

Beyond questions of gender and age, development remains a central issue in the constituency.

Residents continue to raise concerns over roads, electricity connectivity, education and access to other basic services.

In August, Manduku raised concerns in Parliament over delays in the Last Mile Connectivity Project, which was intended to connect more than 5,000 customers across 26 villages.

The concerns have added to growing demands from residents for greater attention to development projects at the grassroots.

“I voted for the MP expecting visible development in our villages. But several years later, many roads remain in poor condition and residents are still asking when they will see meaningful projects. We need an MP who is present and responsive to the needs of the people,” said Tom Bosire from Suguta.

Bosire said constituents wanted greater engagement with their elected representative, particularly on development priorities affecting ordinary families.

“People want to see the MP regularly coming to the ground, listening to residents and explaining what has been achieved and what remains pending. There is a feeling among some residents that more could have been done,” he said.

For James Ombaki, a small-scale farmer in Metembe, poor infrastructure continues to affect economic activity.

“Farmers need better roads so that produce can reach markets without unnecessary delays and costs. We also need stronger support for education and other basic services,” he said.

At Gesusu, Jackline Kerubo said the 2027 election would provide voters with an opportunity to assess the MP’s record against the expectations they had when they elected him.

“Residents will look at the projects, the accessibility of the MP and how well he has represented the constituency. People want leadership that they can see and feel in their daily lives,” she said.

A different pitch

Ontiri is positioning herself in this environment of competing expectations, making her gender and youthful profile part of a broader argument about representation and leadership.

But she insists she does not want voters to support her simply because she is a woman.

“I am not asking women to vote for me because I am a woman. I am asking every voter to look at my ideas, my courage and my commitment to this constituency,” she said.

If elected, Ontiri would become a significant figure in the representation of women in Gusii parliamentary politics.

For her supporters, however, the significance of her campaign has already begun.

“She has shown that a woman can walk into a political field dominated by men and say, ‘I belong here too.’ That alone is powerful,” said John Bosire, a resident of Masimba.

As the 2027 contest gathers momentum, Ontiri’s campaign is introducing another voice into the Nyaribari Masaba race while placing questions of youth, gender, representation and grassroots development at the centre of the emerging political debate.