Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga has reneged on his promise to back Nicholas Kut Ochogo for the Alego-Usonga parliamentary seat, with close allies saying he will be backing former MP Omondi Muluan.
The county boss endorsed his former employee Kut as the next Alego-Usonga MP before changing tune.
Sources said the governor backtracked after a series of meetings with the Karuoth clan at his home.
The clan fears it will have no elected leader if Muluan is not backed to win the seat.
They said the clan was used to the trappings of power after producing Rasanga as the governor for 10 years and they cannot manage to be without a leader going forward.
“Our core value as a clan is to ensure one of us remains in leadership even after Rasanga’s tenure comes to an end. That's is why we are prevailing upon the governor to support Muluan and not Kut,” one of the elders said in the meeting.
However, it is a wait-and-see if Muluan will outshine Kut since he has already gained momentum, especially after Rasanga, who was also in the race, stepped down for him.
Muluan served as the Alego-Usonga MP from 2013 to 2017 on a Wiper ticket, but was later defeated by Samuel Atandi on an ODM ticket.
Rasanga, while endorsing Muluan, said he has worked with nearly all the aspirants seeking the Alego seat and found out that Muluan is the best bet.
The governor added that Muluan’s development track record is visible and cannot be compared to any of the persons that have been previously entrusted with the position
The county chief said during his first term, he crafted many partnerships with Muluan and succeeded in several projects.
"Competition is healthy and residents can decide whom they think is suitable for the MP seat. But I want to ask voters to use their brain and put into leadership the former legislator because he will champion your interests," Rasanga said.
Muluan said his "vision was pegged on development" and "during [his] tenure [he] touched lives of many through the projects initiated in the entire constituency."
He added that he has realised his weaknesses and would work on them to win the trust and confidence of the public.
But residents, led by Austin Ogolla, said they have trust in Kut, adding that he has what it takes to succeed Atandi.
(edited by Amol Awuor)
