- Kutima was among politicians who had been warming up to succeed Oparanya in the election.
- Malala was impressive in Malava and neighbouring constituencies
Image: CALISTUS LUCHETU
The rivalry between outgoing Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya and his deputy Philip Kutima appeared to have influenced how voters cast their ballots in Monday’s election.
Kutima was Oparanya’s deputy for two terms but accused his boss of side-lining him as the succession politics intensified.
He was among the politicians who had been warming up to succeed Oparanya.
The two had been close allies and at some point, Oparanya drummed up support for Kutima as the best person to succeed him but changed tune later.
Kutima stepped down to support former Lugari MP Ayub Savula's bid for the seat but the DAP-K deputy leader later went on to be the running mate of ODM's Fernandes Barasa.
However, before parting ways, Kutima accused Oparanya of dishonesty and described his boss as a person who is not straightforward.
“When he comes to my Malava backyard, he tells the people that he is supporting me. But when he goes elsewhere, he talks bad of me and praises other aspirants,” Kutima lamented in one of his rallies.
Kutima was removed from ODM leadership in August last year. He served as Kakamega county party chairman.
He claimed his removal was an elaborate scheme to scuttle his ambitions for the county seat.
During the launch of Azimio la Umoja in the Western region in Kakamega, Oparanya said all aspirants who wished to contest the governorship under ODM would agree and propose the strongest of them all.
He had initially indicated that ODM would give the ticket to a strong candidate with the capacity to win the seat.
Results from Monday’s election showed Malala performed well in Kutima’s Malava backyard and neighbouring constituencies.
In Malava, Malala polled 30,949 votes against Barasa’s 10,112.
Barasa was on Tuesday declared the governor-elect after polling 192,768 votes beating his closest challenger Cleophas Malala who garnered 159,275.
Malala did not impress in his Mumias East home.
The ANC candidate also had an impressive performance in the neighbouring Navakholo constituency where he garnered 17,185 votes against Barasa’s 9,967.
Malala was also leading in Shinyalu constituency where he got 15,974 against Barasa’s 12,505.
Malala's running mate pick has also been seen as a reason why Malava constituents voted for him.
The former Kakamega senator settled on Beatrice Muganda Inyangala as his running mate in the governor contest.
She hails from her Shiruku village in Malava.
Inyangala is an accomplished scholar who has a track record in leadership and planning.
Her husband, Ronald Inyangala, had considered vying for the Malava parliamentary seat before shelving his ambition to allow her to pursue her dream of becoming Kakamega’s first female deputy governor.
On the other hand, Savula was brought to deputise Barasa to win the hearts of Lugari and Likuyani constituents.
The deal was brokered by Oparanya and Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa among other leaders allied to ODM and DAP-K.
Savula has represented the Lugari constituency for two terms.
Oparanya is also considered to have some influence in Lugari as his second home is located in the constituency.
The votes were split in the Lurambi constituency with Malala getting 19,863 votes and Barasa 19,712 and in Ikolomani the ANC candidate got 11,402 against ODM’s 11,075.
Barasa led in Likuyani, Lugari, Khwisero, Butere, Matungu, Mumias East and Mumias West constituencies.
In the Butere constituency, Barasa garnered 19,388 votes while Malala got 7,853. Butere rallied behind Barasa as the governor hails from the area.
In Mumias East and Mumias West, Barasa polled 14,828 and 16,305 while Malala got 9,107 and 6,750 votes respectively.
In his Matungu backyard, Barasa managed 25,077 against Malala’s 11,344 votes.
In Khwisero, Barasa scored 15,322 while Malala managed 6,499. In Lugari and Likuyani, Barasa garnered 20,280 and 18,197 respectively against Malala’s 13,331 and 9,018 votes.
Oparanya officially threw himself into the political ring in 2002 when he won the Butere parliamentary seat and went on to retain it in 2007 under ODM.
After the promulgation of the constitution in 2010, Oparanya vied for Kakamega governor with ODM in 2013 and won.
He successfully defended the seat again in 2017 with the same party.
Apart from Barasa and Malala, the race also attracted Cyrus Jirongo (UDP), Suleiman Sumba (Kanu), Samuel Omukoko (Maendeleo Democratic Party), Michael Osundwa and Austine Opitso (independent).
(Edited by Tabnacha O)