Nyaribari Masaba parliamentary aspirant Wycliffe Mobeck has unveiled a campaign centered on transparent politics, active citizen participation, and modern solutions to enduring insecurity and economic challenges in the constituency.
Speaking on Radio Generation on Wednesday, Mobeck emphasized the need for a new political approach built on accountability and genuine engagement with local communities.
Mobeck, who has spent 12 years in the United States, explained that his decision to enter politics was fueled by a personal connection to the struggles of his home region. “Career and fulfilment from where you come from are two different things,” he said.
“I work in an international corporation where I give my best, but where I come from, at the end of the day, I just go into darkness. So where does that leave me?”
He recounted early experiences that shaped his understanding of local challenges.
“That's my home. That's where I grew up. It’s the same place I used to push donkeys to the river at 2am to get water,” Mobeck said. “Nothing has changed 20, 35 years on. These are things that affect me personally.”
The Kisii County constituency, currently represented by Daniel Ogwoka Manduku of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), faces persistent security threats, according to Mobeck. Cattle rustling along the Maasai-Kalenjin border has long troubled residents, particularly in areas where his grandfather’s land sits at the junction of Kisii, Nyamira, Homabay, and Narok counties. “All my life growing up, I’ve seen the same things happening. People don’t sleep. All you do is stay awake and take care of your animals,” he said.
Mobeck stressed that insecurity has stifled economic opportunities. “You cannot even have something commercial, like good breeds of cows, because you're afraid someone will come and take them,” he noted. He proposes using international technology to monitor livestock, enhance dairy farming, and boost household incomes. “We’re trying to see if we can take care of that and improve the way people are doing dairy farming and livestock so they can earn something out of it,” he added.
He also highlighted the growing land pressure in Kisii and Nyamira, driven by population growth.
“Land is shrinking because of population. The surplus for consumption is shrinking down, but the number keeps going up,” he said. Mobeck believes technological and innovative solutions are critical to helping families manage smaller land parcels and rising costs.
Mobeck pointed out that regular visits to Kenya have strengthened his understanding of the country’s political dynamics. “Do I understand? That’s my home,” he said. “I come to Kenya like five times a year. I’m so much preview to what is happening around Kenya, if someone else knows what’s happening before anyone says, I think it’s myself.”
On electoral practices, he expressed disappointment with the commercialization of campaigns. “The system we are in right now is completely murky,” he said, vowing not to engage in handouts.
“My conscience is very clean. Giving out money, handouts, that is not going to happen. That never really helps.” He believes voters are gradually shifting from expecting gifts to valuing ideas. “You’ll be surprised. People are changing,” he said.
Mobeck highlighted the growing influence of young voters, who are increasingly willing to listen to proposals rather than follow traditional inducements. “People don’t get to speak. Someone just comes randomly and states what they want. I want to give people the chance they’ve been denied,” he said.
He added that his campaign enjoys support from the diaspora, which recognizes his commitment and track record. “A lot of people have supported me financially because they understand where we come from,” he said.
Ultimately, Mobeck’s vision is a constituency where residents are heard, involved, and empowered to progress. “People want to follow an ideology. They want to see what you are looking at. I’m coming with a new way on how we handle issues,” he said.
