The return of multi-partyism in Kakamega in 1992 was a defining moment in Kenya’s democratic journey. After decades under one-party KANU dominance, political pluralism returned through intense local activism, international pressure, and growing public unrest. Nowhere was this political rebirth more evident than in Western Kenya, where Kakamega voters embraced the new freedom to choose.
The 1992 general elections were the first multi-party elections since 1966—and they reshaped Kakamega’s political identity, empowering new voices while exposing deep internal divides.
The Fall of the One-Party State
By the early 1990s, Kenya was under growing pressure to reform. President Moi, facing mass protests and economic downturn, reluctantly lifted the ban on opposition parties in December 1991. Political figures previously silenced under the KANU regime—including Martin Shikuku, Masinde Muliro, and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga—formed the Forum for the Restoration of Democracy (FORD), which later splintered into FORD-Asili and FORD-Kenya.
This split had profound implications for multi-partyism in Kakamega in 1992, as the region’s voters now had more than one opposition option.
Rise of FORD-Asili and the Comeback of Shikuku
The charismatic Martin Shikuku, once detained by Moi and rigged out in 1988, returned as a founding member and Secretary-General of FORD-Asili. His message of accountability and reform resonated strongly in Butere and across Luhya regions.
In the 1992 elections, Shikuku made a triumphant comeback, winning the Butere parliamentary seat. His return symbolized not just personal redemption but the reawakening of Western Kenya’s opposition voice.
KANU’s Hold Weakens in Kakamega
Despite President Moi’s nationwide win due to a divided opposition, KANU’s grip in Kakamega significantly loosened. While KANU retained only four seats in the region, FORD-Asili and FORD-Kenya captured a combined six seats, signaling a major shift in voter confidence.
Key wins included:
- Martin Shikuku (Butere) – FORD-Asili
- Javan Ommani (Lurambi) – FORD-Asili
- Joshua Angatia (Malava) – defected back to KANU and won
- Musalia Mudavadi (Sabatia) – retained by KANU, appointed Finance Minister
Mudavadi’s appointment was viewed as strategic—designed to preserve loyalty in a politically volatile region—but it did not stop the hemorrhaging of support for KANU.
FORD-Kenya vs. FORD-Asili: The Luhya Divide
Despite overwhelming support for multi-partyism, the split between FORD-Asili and FORD-Kenya diluted the opposition’s overall strength in Western Kenya. While FORD-Kenya, led by Jaramogi Odinga and Masinde Muliro, performed well in Bukusu territory and Luo Nyanza, FORD-Asili gained momentum in central Luhya areas like Kakamega and Vihiga.
The 1992 elections thus laid bare the internal fractures in Luhya leadership, making it difficult for the region to speak with one political voice—a challenge that continues to haunt it today.
The Rise of Cyrus Jirongo and YK’92
Another notable figure in Kakamega’s 1992 elections was Cyrus Jirongo, head of the infamous YK’92 (Youth for KANU ‘92) campaign. Tasked with securing President Moi’s re-election, Jirongo’s team was accused of massive bribery and vote-buying, particularly in rural constituencies.
Although Jirongo did not win a seat in this election, his tactics left a lasting imprint on electoral campaigns, introducing cash-centered politics in Western Kenya.
Conclusion
The return of multi-partyism in Kakamega in 1992 was a landmark in Kenya’s democratic evolution. It restored electoral competition, revived opposition voices, and weakened KANU’s authoritarian hold over Western Kenya. Leaders like Martin Shikuku and Musalia Mudavadi became central figures, representing different futures—one grounded in reform, the other in continuity.
Though marred by party splits and uneven results, the 1992 elections rekindled the spirit of choice and marked the true beginning of the modern political era in Kakamega and Vihiga.
