The battle for Homa Bay governor seat between aspirants Gladys Wanga and former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero is focused on the greater Rachuonyo and Suba regions.
The race has been narrowed down between Wanga and Kidero who hails from greater Rangwe after their competitors bolted out.
Wanga, who is the current Homa Bay Woman Representative, was handed ODM ticket after five aspirants held a consensus meeting and agreed to back her.
The aspirants are former Kasipul MP Oyugi Magwanga, Deputy Governor Hamilton Orata, Kuppet secretary general Akello Misori, former county secretary Isaiah Ogwe and Suba South MP John Mbadi.
The meeting was also attended by Governor Cyprian Awiti and ODM leader Raila Odinga.
Kidero and businessman Louis Ogingo did not approve of Wanga’s candidature on the grounds that they were not invited to the meeting.
He has since announced he will contest the seat on independent ticket, with Ogingo throwing his weight behind him.
Ahead of 2013 polls, political leaders who included Governor Cyprian Awiti, former Senator Otieno Kajwang and Wanga allegedly entered a deal to share power among three regions.
Homa Bay, which has a total of eight constituencies, is split into three regions; greater Rachuonyo, Rangwe and Suba.
Rachuonyo comprises Kasipul, Karachuonyo and Kabondo Kasipul constituencies.
Rangwe region has Homa Bay town, Rangwe and Ndhiwa constituencies, while Suba region has both Suba South and Suba North constituencies.
Political observer Patrick Agwagra said both Kidero and Wanga must work extra hard to win the hearts of voters from Suba and Rachuonyo regions.
Wanga has already settled on Magwanga who hails from Rachuonyo region (Kasipul constituency) as a running mate.
Agwagra said Kidero must pick a running mate from Rachuonyo region to counter Wanga.
Kidero is advantaged in Suba due to the fact that he draws some roots from Wakeru clan of the region.
The analyst said Kidero is likely to receive a number of votes by residents who were not pleased with the way ODM conducted its nominations.
Last weekend, Kidero received defectors to his camp. The defectors were mainly campaign coordinators of Magwanga.
“Kidero can easily win Homa Bay governor seat if he strategises well. Suba voters take him as their own hence he needs to get ways of attracting Rachuonyo voters,” Agwara said.
The analyst also said Wanga can take ODM dominance and popularity to her advantage and win the seat.
More than 30 per cent of residents in Homa Bay normally vote in favour of ODM candidates.
The residents voted governor, senator, all MPs and woman representative in 2013 and 2017 general election.
(edited by Amol Awuor)
