Choice of running mates have to match aspirants — Andati

Aspirants for the Kakamega governor race are facing a dilemma over the selection of running mates.

Political analyst Martin Andati says the choice of running mates is critical as they have to compliment the aspirants.

“The choice of running mates will either make or destroy those out to succeed Governor Wycliffe Oparanya. Running mates are supposed to come with votes, money and intellectual input to the campaigns by the aspirants,” Andati said.

“Oparanya has set the pace as the first governor and the pair that seeks to succeed him must demonstrate to voters, that they have what it takes to move the county to the next level. This will largely inform the voting.”

He said regional balance is a key aspect when deciding on a running mate.

Two aspirants have however settled on deputies from the Northern region.

ODM's Fernandez Barasa and ANC's Cleophas Malala have picked Vincent Mugabe who comes from Likuyani and Beatrice Inyangala from Malava.

Outgoing deputy governor Philip Kutima hails from Malava and he is keen to pick his deputy from the Southern region, preferably from Mumias East or Mumias West.

Malava has the highest number of registered voters and each of the aspirants, especially those from the Southern region are keen to have the bloc on their side or shred it all together.

The Northern region however has Kutima and Lugari MP Ayub Savula who will square it out for the DAP-K ticket and United Democratic Party leader Cyrus Jirongo who will run on his party ticket.

Other candidates in the race are Samuel Omukoko who will be running on Maendeleo Democratic Party ticket and Suleiman Sumba of Kanu.

Omukoko is said to be keen on picking a running mate from Shinyalu in the Central region.

The race is likely to be influenced by regional balance and sub-dialect competition pitting those aligned to the Azimio One Kenya and Kenya Kwanza coalitions.

Edited by Kiilu Damaris