- Kutima is said to have made contact with the Democratic Action Party and it's just a matter of time before he decamps from ODM.
- Candidates interested in the ticket have been accusing Oparanya of favouring Barasa but he has denied the claims.
Image: File
Latest reports indicate that attempts to achieve a consensus among ODM gubernatorial aspirants in Kakamega is collapsing.
ODM has been pushing for consensus among aspirants within Azimio La Umoja movement to field a single candidate to avoid splitting the support.
Deputy party leader Wycliffe Oparanya on January 31, asked former Ketraco Managing director Fernandez Barasa, Deputy Governor Philip Kutima and Shinyalu MP Justus Kizito to agree on who among them will be the ODM flagbearer.
The three have declared an interest in the Kakamega governor seat.
Barasa launched his governorship bid at Bukhungu stadium on Saturday, a pointer that the three aspirants may have decided to go different ways.
“The journey has begun and your next governor will be Barasa from ODM," he said.
"I will mobilise votes for Raila Odinga and ensure we deliver all seats in Kakamega."
Kutima is said to have made contact with the Democratic Action Party and it's just a matter of time before he decamps from ODM.
“Kutima will be running for the seat but not on ODM. He will be joining DAP-K. He will make the announcement soon,” one of his aides told the Star on the phone.
“You cannot send us for consensus when you have already made up your minds. Consensus can only be reached if people talk without pressure from certain quarters."
Kizito, who is the county ODM coordinating committee chairman said some party officials were trying to impose a candidate on them.
“What Barasa did on Saturday was to launch his bid as an aspirant not ODM candidate. Did you see ODM officials there?" he asked.
Aspirants interested in the ticket have been accusing Oparanya of favouring Barasa but he has denied the claims.
Leaders from the north and central regions have pushed to produce the next governor because Oparanya who is completing his term hails from the south.
The political parties amendment act requires that every politician seeking to vie must belong to a single party by March 29 to stem party hopping.
Azimio movement now runs the risk of splitting its support base if they will field more than one candidate for the governor seat.