- Oparanya is concluding his second and final term in office.
- He will be seeking to succeed his boss on an ODM ticket.
Image: HILTON OTENYO
Image: HILTON OTENYO
Kakamega Deputy Governor Philip Kutima has reiterated he will run for the county's top seat in 2022, saying he is the best person to succeed Governor Wycliffe Oparanya when he leaves office in August next year.
Kutima has been Oparanya’s deputy since 2013. The governor is concluding his second and final term.
Kutima said he and Oparanya have initiated key development projects which are ongoing and that it will require someone committed to complete them for residents to benefit.
"I will build on the solid foundation laid by Oparanya to move the county to the next level," he said.
Speaking in Ivonda village in Ikolomani subcounty, Kutima said the ongoing projects may become white elephants if another person is elected governor as they may be abandoned.
Some of the flagship projects that are ongoing include the upgrade of Bukhungu Stadium to international status, upcoming Kakamega County Teaching and Referral Hospital, the Malava milk processing plant and the One Cow Initiative among others.
Kutuma is among aspirants seeking to succeed Oparanya come August 9, 2022. He will be seeking to succeed his boss on the ODM party ticket.
The deputy governor will face off with Shinyalu MP Justus Kizito and Ketraco CEO Fernandez Barasa in the ODM primaries.
Others in the race for governor are former senator Boni Khalwale who will run on Deputy President William Ruto’s UDA party ticket, Lugari MP Ayub Savula, former medical services minister Amukowa Anangwe and Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala.
Both Malala and Savula are members of the ANC party that is led by Musalia Mudavadi.
Economist Samuel Omukoko, Kakamega county assembly clerk Laban Atemba and Leonard Shimaka are also in the race. They are yet to identify parties to run on.
Kutima said continuity at the county's helm was key to the growth of the devolved unit. He asked voters to elect him so that he picks up and completes Oparanya’s legacy.
He said with the experience he has gained for the last nine years he served as Oparanya’s deputy, he is capable of continuing with his development agenda.
"I have been part of the development plans by Oparanya. So far he has done extremely well in development. We have major projects that are still ongoing and it’s only me who can guarantee their completion," Kutima said.
He regretted that most of the eligible voters, especially the youths targeted for listing during the mass voter registration that concludes today, failed to register.
Ikolomani MP Bernard Shinali said in future, it will depend on whether one is registered as a voter for Ikolomani residents to benefit from NG-CDF.
"For one to benefit from NG-CDF and county programmes he or she must be a registered voter for those who are 18 years and above. For those below 18 their parents must prove that they are voters," Shinali said.
The MP asked politicians to maintain peace during campaigns for the stability of the country.
-Edited by SKanyara