The Chief Minister designate under Raila's Azimio la Umoja government on Monday asked Kisii voters to vote for Wiper hopefuls despite the region being Raila's stronghold.
During the campaigns in Etago and Nyamarambe in Kisii county, Kalonzo strongly rooted for his allies, introducing them one by one.
The move triggered disquiet from many of the candidates from other parties in the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya alliance as sibling rivalries escalated.
At one point Kalonzo caught himself in the eye of a storm when he chided Kisii DAP-K governorship candidate and county senator Sam Ongeri to abandon his bid and back ODM's Simba Arati.
“My friend professor Sam Ongeri because of age please leave this seat to this young man Simba Arati,” Kolonzo said at a campaign rally at Nyamarambe stadium in South Mugirango.
The calls were received with mixed reactions from the crowds.
But Raila who was leading the campaigns with his running mate Martha Karua stayed clear of the sibling rivalries that openly pitted aspirants in their presence.
“All these people are your daughters and sons, please elect the best,” Raila said as candidates engaged in a popularity showdown.
Wiper has fielded former popular broadcaster Doris Aburi for the Kisii Woman Representative's seat as well as several MP hopefuls, including Bobasi MP Innocent Obiri.
Obiri is defending his seat.
In the neighbouring county of Nyamira, Borabu MP Ben Momanyi is seeking the Nyamira governorship seat on the Wiper party ticket.
Victor Swanya Ogeto is flying the party ticket for the Kitutu Masaba parliamentary seat.
“We are one Azimio team, but I have come with my party members who are running here. Let me introduce them so that they don't fight me back after this,” Kalonzo said.
Because of the cut-throat competition among Azimio affiliates and to avoid antagonising his presidential votes, Raila has dodged openly endorsing his ODM candidates, especially in Kisii and Nyamira counties.
In Kisii, Arati is flying the ODM ticket for the governorship. However, other Azimio affiliates have also fronted candidates.
Jubilee party fronted former Roads Minister Chris Obure, while KNC has Manson Oyongo in the race. Ongeri of DAP-K under Azimio is also in the race.
For the Woman representative's seat, ODM has fielded Janet Ong'era who is defending her seat, while Wiper has Doris on the ballot.
In the neighbouring Nyamira county, ODM is seeking the governor's seat through its National Treasurer Timothy Bosire while Wiper has fronted Momanyi.
The UPA party, which is an Azimio affiliate, is fielding current governor Amos Nyaribo while Mwancha Okioma is flying the Jubilee ticket.
For the woman representative seat in Nyamira, Jubilee is banking on Jerusha Momanyi who is defending her seat. Emily Matoke is flying the ODM flag.
