•IEBC postponed voting in the governor races in the two counties because of a mix-up in the candidates’ names and pictures.
•The commission has, however, outlawed fresh campaigns for the seats.
The outcome of the presidential contest between Raila Odinga and William Ruto could largely influence the pending gubernatorial races in Mombasa and Kakamega.
Analysts say the coalition that would bag the presidency will have an upper hand in bagging the seats, although the two counties have traditionally been Raila's strongholds.
The IEBC postponed voting in the governor races in the two counties because of a mix-up in the candidates’ names and picture details.
It has since rescheduled them for August 23, barely 10 days away.
The commission has, however, outlawed fresh campaigns for the seats.
But as the Azimio and Kenya Kwanza luminaries remained glued on the seat for presidential power, their lieutenants seem to be investing attention to the strategic races.
ODM governor candidate in Mombasa is the outgoing Mvita MP Abdullswamad Sheriff Nassir, while his Kenya Kwanza opponent is Hassan Omar.
ODM’s candidate in Kakamega is Fernandes Barasa, while Kenya Kwanza’s is outgoing senator Cleophas Malala.
As of Thursday, the candidates seemed to be back as they reactivated their social media activities in search of the vote.
Nassir had started sharing his campaign messaging as his blogger seemed to have furled their sleeves.
With the immense power and influence that the presidency has, the two camps believe bagging the coveted prize would make their candidates have one leg inside the governor’s mansion.
From activating state networks and operatives such as national administration officials to mobilise the vote for the favoured candidate and the financial advantage that can be advanced, the presidency is an indispensable tool in the two races.
The presidency could also impact the races given the fact that most voters would easily buy the message that they do not want to be left in the cold on the opposition benches.
It is a message that the winning camp can successfully dangle to the voters.
Also coupling this is the mindset among voters that they do not want to stick to a losing side.
If either Ruto or Raila is declared the winner, it could condition the mind of the voters to align with them.
The boost would be huge for the ODM candidates given the regions have traditionally backed Raila and hence would not want to renege when they already have the prize.
The enthusiasm for the declaration is likely to spill to the governor races and lift Barasa and Nassir to victory.
Further, the camp with the presidency can also give promises of appointments and state projects to sway voters.
The ODM leader has already earmarked outgoing Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho to be in the Cabinet as the CS for Lands, if he wins.
Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya has also been earmarked by the ODM boss to be his CS for Treasury should he form the government.
These tentative promises could give his candidates a head start.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris