Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka has said Bungoma residents pressurised him to contest for the governor seat in the August polls.
Lusaka, who was Bungoma's first governor from 2013-17, said he is prepared to battle incumbent Governor Wycliffe Wangamati in the race.
"I appeal to you to vote for me," he urged voters.
Lusaka was speaking at Musese NG-CDF on Sunday during the disbursement of bursary cheques to schools by Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga.
He also dismissed claims he is planning to scrap the Wangamati scholarship programme.
The Speaker said if elected, he will instead allocate more funds so that bright but needy students will benefit.
"People are engineering propaganda on social media, claiming I plan to scrap the Wangamati scholarship programme," Lusaka said.
He said he will help youth and women get enterprise funds so residents can access loans to start businesses.
"Building road networks within the county isn't bad, but residents need to have money in their pockets," he said.
Lusaka will run for the governor's seat on the Ford Kenya party ticket.
He lauded Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga, saying for the few months he has been in office, he has supported many students' access to education.
Lusaka asked Bungoma residents to support Senator Moses Wetang'ula.
Kalasinga MP urged Western region to rally behind Deputy President William Ruto's presidential bid.
Wangamati, who spoke to the Star, promised to increase scholarship beneficiaries from 3,000 to 5,000.
The governor said beneficiaries of his scholarship programme have made him proud with the good performance.
Wangamati will seek reelection on the DAP-K ticket.
Edited by A.N
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