- The naming of running mates perhaps gives a glimpse in the form the race will most likely take in the next two months.
- Leaders from central and northern regions are pushing the narrative that the top county leadership has been in the south under Oparanya for ten year and must now move to either or the two regions.
Image: HILTON OTENYO
The race to succeed Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya has taken shape after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission cleared seven candidates for the August 9 polls.
Those in the race include Cleophas Malala (ANC), Fernandes Barasa (ODM), Cyrus Jirongo (UDP), Samuel Omukoko of Maendeleo Democratic Party, Suleiman Sumba(Kanu) Michael Osundwa (independent) and Austine Otieno (independent).
Barasa, Omukoko, Sumba and Osundwa come from the southern region while Malala and Jirongo hail from the central and northern regions respectively.
The four have named designate deputies from the north while Jirongo and Sumba have picked running mates from the central region.
Barasa picked Lugari MP Ayub Savula, Malala has named Beatrice Inyangala from Malava.
Jirongo has settled on former NSSF boss Jos Konzolo and Omukoko has named John Maranani from Malava.
Osundwa picked Winrose Zablon from Malava in the north, while Sumba named Douglas Walelo from Lurambi as his running mate.
The race is shaping up into a north versus south affair. The naming of running mates also gives a glimpse of the contest expected.
Leaders from central and north regions are saying that top county leadership has been in the south under Oparanya for 10 years and must now move to either of the two regions.
Candidates from the south need support from the central and north to retain power so they have named deputies from the two regions.
Oparanya who is the head of Azimio One Kenya Coalition campaigns in Western is fronting ODM candidates against Kenya Kwanza's Musalia Mudavadi and his Ford Kenya counterpart Moses Wetang’ula.
The presence of Mudavadi and Wetang’ula in Kakamega during the clearance of Malala by the IEBC underscored Kenya Kwanza's interest in the race.
The campaigns by the candidates are a blend of promises and attacks on each other’s personalities.
Regional balance, part affiliations, inter-dialect competitions, money and individual’s track record are some of the dynamics that will inform the voting.
The candidate seeking elective seats in the county have avoided mentioning the revival of collapsed Mumias Sugar Company.
This is to avoid the wrath of the voters who have become disillusioned after past promises by local leadership and government failed.
Political commentator Martin Andati said the caliber of candidates, regional balance and sub-dialect competition will determine the winner.
He said should the seat be won by the south (Barasa), this may be viewed as marginalisation of the north and may trigger calls for cession.
He said Savula may not add much value to the Barasa ticket.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)