- Owili and his boss Nyong'o were cleared to seek another term on Sunday.
- In Homa Bay, Governor Cyprian Awiti threw his deputy Hamilton Orata under the bus after serving two terms together.
Image: MAURICE ALAL
Eight incumbent deputy governors in Western and Nyanza counties were not endorsed by their governors to succeed or run with them in the August 9 general elections.
In Nyanza, only Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong’o retained deputy Mathews Owili as his running mate for the August polls.
Nyong'o and Owili were cleared to seek a second term on Sunday.
“We worked well with the governor in our first tenure in office. We have managed to deliver the manifesto and we hope to fulfil the aspirations of the Kisumu voters if given a second term,” Owili said.
He pledged to support and work diligently with Nyong’o to effectively service delivery to residents if reelected.
Owili hopes to be next in line to succeed Nyong’o. He hails from Nyakach subcounty.
However, his calculations are likely to be complicated should Kisumu ODM Senate candidate Tom Ojienda decide to run for governor in 2027.
He comes from the same subcounty. The senior counsel is taking a shot at elective politics in the county for the first time.
In Siaya county, Governor Cornel Rasanga did not back his deputy James Okumbe.
Okumbe had declared interest to succeed Rasanga whose support would have greatly enhanced his bid.
Rasanga has thrown his weight behind Senator James Orengo, who was cleared on Monday to fly the ODM flag.
Orengo will be seeking to succeed Rasanga and has picked Rasanga’s former arch-rival William Oduol.
The duo will face former Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo of United Democratic Movement.
In past interviews with the Star, Okumbe from Central Sakwa in Bondo subcounty exuded confidence in getting the support of the governor.
“For the period I have worked with the governor we have had a good working relationship devoid of any controversy. In most occasions, the governor would assign me the opportunity to commission or launch key county sponsored projects,” he said.
In Homa Bay, Governor Cyprian Awiti threw his deputy Hamilton Orata under the bus after serving his two terms. This is despite Orata declaring interest in succeeding Awiti.
ODM awarded a direct ticket to Woman Representative Gladys Wanga.
Wanga picked former Kasipul MP Oyugi Magwanga as her running mate in a negotiated political deal brokered by party leader Raila Odinga.
The duo were cleared by the IEBC on Monday to face former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero in August.
In Migori, Okoth Obado's deputy Mwita Maanga is nowhere in the succession matrix.
Maanga has yet to declare interest in any political seat.
The contest to succeed Obado has attracted ODM’s Ochilo Ayacko, Jubilee’s Dalmas Otieno, former Migori MP John Pesa (independent) and economist Robert Okong’o.
In Kisii, Governor James Ongwae is supporting Senator Sam Ongeri to succeed him, leaving out his deputy Joash Maangi.
In Western, Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya is favouring former KETRACO managing director Fernandes Barasa instead of backing his deputy Philip Kutima.
In Busia, Governor Sospeter Ojaamong denied his deputy Moses Mulomi the support he needed to succeed him.
However, his party ODM has former minister Paul Otuoma as their candidate for the gubernatorial seat.
Vihiga Governor Wilberforce Ottichilo is defending his seat on ODM party. He has picked a new running mate, Wilberforce Kitieso.
He dumped current Deputy Governor Patrick Saisi, who is said to be endearing himself to former Governor Moses Akaranga as his running mate.
In Bungoma, Governor Wycliffe Wangamati, who is seeking his second term has dropped his current deputy Charles Ngome in favour of Nangalama Sitati.
Wangamati is facing a political duel with Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka, who is running on UDA ticket.
He floored Lusaka in 2017 to become the second governor of Bungoma.
Edited by A.N