By Bob Amalemba
September 06, 2025
Banja Ward MCA Collins “Collos” Ayugu has launched the Christine Collos Cup, a Sh1 million football tournament that is fast positioning him as the man to watch in Hamisi Constituency politics.
The competition, inspired by the popularity of the Cleo Malala and Barasa Cups in Kakamega, marks a bold step for Ayugu as he prepares to wrestle the MP seat from Charles Gumini Gimose, who has held it since 2013.
Registration for teams closes on September 10, after which matches will roll out across the constituency. For Ayugu, however, the tournament is more than sport—it is a rallying call.
“It’s not about sports but unity and defining our development journey as the people of Hamisi,” he said, casting himself as a candidate blending youthful energy with a vision for change.
Now serving his second term as MCA, Ayugu has declared he is ready to unseat his former boss. At a recent stop in Kaptik School, he pointed to dilapidated facilities as proof of a constituency left behind.
“Look at the state of this school. Is this what you people really deserve? Please give me the duty to be your MP to correct the mess,” he told residents.
Unlike many ward representatives, Ayugu has forged rare alliances that elevate his stature. He has the visible backing of Vihiga Governor Wilberforce Ottichilo, a seasoned politician who has joined him on several development tours. Beyond county borders, he enjoys the ear of Farouk Kibet, a key player in President William Ruto’s circle, who has supported initiatives in Banja and pushed for the elevation of local towns to administrative centres.
In contrast, Charles Gimose enters the race with the weight of incumbency. The lawyer, first elected in 2013, has served three consecutive terms in Parliament. His long experience and legal training are assets, but critics say his tenure has bred stagnation, creating space for a fresher voice.
Ayugu is seizing that moment. His mix of charisma, grassroots appeal, and high-level connections paints him as a sharper contender—one able to merge ambition with action. With the Collos Cup energizing the ground, Hamisi’s political field is tilting toward a youthful challenger who insists the constituency deserves more than the status quo.
