Political competition between Homa Bay gubernatorial hopefuls Gladys Wanga and Evans Kidero has split the Luo Council of elders from the greater Rachuonyo region.
The divisions became evident after some elders endorsed Wanga barely three weeks after others pledged their support to Kidero.
Rachuonyo is a populous region that comprises three constituencies of Karachuonyo, Kasipul and Kabondo Kasipul. It has more than a third of the county's registered voters.
Rachuonyo has become the epicentre for vote hunting for both Wanga and Kidero as they try to woo the residents.
The fight for Rachuonyo votes has seen both candidates choose running mates from the region.
Former Kasipul MP Oyugi Magwanga is the running mate for Wanga while Kidero chose Elijah Kodo from Karachuonyo constituency.
In an effort to consolidate the votes before the August 9 elections, Kidero met some elders from the region at Alaw Rachuonyo social hall where they endorsed his bid.
The elders led by Jack Ong’iyo and Phares Ogada endorsed Kidero and asked him to revive cotton production in the region.
They want ginneries and farmer incentives to be provided to revive the production of the crop.
Governor Cyprian Awiti hails from the Karachuonyo constituency.
“We’re going to stand with you at the ballot but we want you to bring back cotton production. Agriculture is devolved and we want the next county government to bring us ginneries,” Ongiyo said.
He asked Kidero to prioritise implementing projects that will benefit the people faster.
“Many parents used to educate their children using cotton but they cannot do so today because ginneries collapsed. Reviving cotton production will uplift the living standards of many people,” Ogada said.
On Saturday, a division emerged among the elders after some endorsed Wanga. The elders were led by Apolo Bwana and James Mumbo and they said they will vote six-piece for ODM.
Wanga flies the ODM ticket while Kidero is running as an independent candidate.
Bwana said they are going to help ODM candidates win.
The elders met at Diakonia in Kabondo Kasipul constituency.
“We have resolved to support the six-piece calls by ODM leadership. The elders will engage in a door-to-door campaign to achieve this,” Bwana said.
The group dismissed their colleagues who endorsed Kidero saying some of them were not consulted.
Mumbo warned that the Rachuonyo people are likely to split their votes and lose direction should they fail to speak in one voice.
It is not clear the criteria the elders are using to endorse candidates because they have not pronounced themselves on the candidature of Mark Rabudi, who hails from Kabondo Kasipul.
Rabudi is seeking the governor seat on the UDA ticket.
“Let the declaration we have made here is final because we’re likely to lose should we continue to walk in different paths,” Mumbo said.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)
