Former Bungoma Deputy Governor Hillary Chongwony on Sunday defected from Ken Lusaka's camp and joined Governor Wycliffe Wangamati brigade to back him for the re-election.
Chongwony served in the Lusaka administration as the first Bungoma deputy governor.
At a ceremony held at his home in Kongit on Sunday in Kaptama ward, Mt Elgon constituency, Chongwony also led the Saboat Supreme Council of Elders in endorsing Wangamati for re-election in August 9 polls.
His defection comes days after Lusaka, also the Senate Speaker, bypassed him and picked his former Gender adviser Jennifer Mbatiany as running mate.
Chongwony's defection marks Wangamati's steady and final climb to the political summit of Mt Elgon, a region that has previously voted for Lusaka.
Rallying his supporters to vote for Wangamati, the former deputy governor said his earlier support had been abused and taken for granted.
He said he is committed to "pay the ultimate price" if it is what it will "take to end the politics of conmanship" and earn respect to the people of Mt Elgon.
(edited by Amol Awuor)
