Migori governor aspirant Philip Mwabe has refuted rumours that he has been dissuaded to vie for senator in the forthcoming polls.
The businessman is angling for the most sought after ODM ticket alongside Migori Senator Ochillo Ayacko, Migori Woman Representative Pamela Odhiambo and businessman Robert Okong’o.
“I have been made aware of talks and cheap propaganda of me stepping down and instead take up the senator ticket, this is a big lie,” Mwabe told the Star over the phone on Wednesday.
He said the rumours were started by his rivals who are afraid of being thwarted at the exercise, slotted for April 15 in Migori county.
“I believe I have no equal among other competitors both in and outside the party for the next governor post. I also believe my rivals have sensed defeat and started these baseless rumours,” Mwabe said.
There has been panic among aspirants as the party is yet to pick the mode of nominations.
They include universal suffrage, delegates system, acclamation, direct ticket or handpicking of candidates.
There is fear that the universal suffrage will not be possible as the party is yet to register enough members to take part in the exercise.
While Okong’o and Ayacko hail from Awendo constituency, both Odhiambo and Mwabe hail from Suna West.
There has also been talk of distributing the seat across regions in the county.
Migori Governor Okoth Obado is set to retire after serving his two terms.
However, the fear of a shambolic nomination has seen other aspirants pick other parties.
This includes former Rongo MP Dalmas Otieno who will vie as a Jubilee Party candidate.
Mwabe said his biggest agenda is ensuring service delivery in his administration is streamlined.
He said he will achieve this by cutting down on hanger's on, commonly known as 'Sangwenya'.
"The cost of searching for land records in the registry is Sh500, but because of Sangwenyas the cost can triple. I promise to have a slim fit administration which will work more on service delivery," Mwabe said.
He said the political hangers will find productive work in farms and industries which he intends to start.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)
