Kisii Woman Representative Janet Ong'era has dropped out of the governor's race and will instead defend her seat.
The move has reduced the number of those seeking to succeed Governor James Ongwae to 10.
Her bowing out of the race has further sliced the number of those from Bobasi seeking the governorship to two–Chris Obure and Dagoretti North MP Simba Arati.
Only one woman, Rachel Otundo of UDA, is now running for the county's top seat.
"I have done some reflection following advice from supporters. Most of them strongly feel that I need to defend my seat once again so that I can finish the work I started," Ong'era said on Friday evening after a meeting in South Mugirango.
She said going forward she will be focusing on campaigning for the woman rep seat.
Ong'era was among politicians who were scrambling for the ODM party ticket. Others include Senator Sam Ongeri, Arati, Deputy Governor Joash Maangi.
Ongeri is said to be weighing options after word went round that the party may favour another aspirant during nominations.
The senator is among the leaders who have had a meeting with UDA governor hopeful Ezekiel Machogu as part of efforts aimed at crafting a powerful Kisii Central Alliance to stem the Arati wave.
On Friday, Ong'era said she did not have any other reason for bowing out of the race, except that the ground would be considerate if she defends her seat.
"I have listened to the ground. The electorate is supreme and if people tell me to go this way I do so. They are our employers," she told the Star.
She joined politics in 2013 as a nominated senator and was elected as woman representative in 2017.
Edited by A.N
