With 202 days remaining to the August 9 General Election, the battle among leading presidential hopefuls has shifted to seeking the support of county governors.
ODM leader Raila Odinga has received the support of around 30 County chiefs for his State House bid his arch-rival William Ruto has the support of 16 governors.
The governors on their second term are supporting presidential aspirant whom they believe has high chances of winning so that they can be considered for a government position without which they will be politically irrelevant.
Outgoing governors supporting William Ruto
Jackson Mandago
Mandago is among the youngest and energetic county chiefs supporting William Ruto’s State House bid.
The second-term governor from Ruto’s home county has declared his intention to vies for the senatorial seat.
Recent MP Oscar Sudi challenged Mandago to abandon his senatorial bid and concentrate on Campaigning for Ruto saying he will be rewarded when Ruto forms the government.
Josphat Nanok
The Narok governor who at one time was a die-hard supporter of Raila Odinga recently shifted his allegiance to William Ruto.
He has become a trusted ally and a member of the National Executive Committee for the United Democratic Alliance.
Salim Mvurya.
The Kwale governor is a vocal supporter of the DP, having withstood the ODM wave at the coast since 2013.
He has been hosting Ruto in a number of functions in the County and has publicly stated his support of Ruto’s Candidature.
During by-elections in Kwale, he has been at the forefront in campaigning for United Democratic Alliance party candidates
Paul Chepkwony
Governors supporting William Ruto presidential bid.
Chepkwony of Kericho County is finishing his maximum two terms as a governor for Kericho which were full accusations of corruption.
Though he doesn’t attend Ruto’s rallies frequently, he is among the county chiefs from Rift Valley that support the Ruto presidential bid.
Samuel Tunai
The Narok governor who comes from the minority Siria clan has declared his interest in the seat of Narok senator. He supports DP Ruto’s State House bid, while at the same time he will be battling out with the Ledama Ole Kina of ODM for the senatorial seat
Moses Kasaine
The Samburu governor who has had a rough second term battling corruption cases is also supporting William Ruto.
7. Zacharia Obado
The Migori governor recently has been sending mixed signals of support for the DP. During the last tour of the county, the governor did not accompany the DP raising suspicion of his next move.
First-time governors supporting William Ruto
Anne Waiguru
The Kiringanya governor the recent county chief to cross over to Ruto’s camp. Waiguru had initially thrown her weight behind Raila Odinga but made a u-turn and now supports Ruto.
As she supports Ruto, she will also be seeking re-election where she will face stiff competition from a former Ruto ally Wangui Ngirici who recently decamped from UDA after the arrival of Waiguru.
Stephen Sang
The Nandi governor currently is the youngest among the county chiefs in all of the 47 counties.
He is seeking voters notch for a second term, but he will have to secure the highly valued UDA nomination where he will faceoff with, Nandi senator Samson Cherargei also a staunch Ruto supporter.
Hillary Barchok.
The Bomet governor who took over after the demise of the late governor Joyce Laboso supports Ruto in the South Rift.
Barchok recently hosted Deputy President Wiliam Ruto in Bomet County a tour that witness differences among leaders being exposed.
Stanley Kiptis
The Baringo governor is among the shy governors in the country, he hardly attends political rally but his support to DP Ruto is clear.
Mutahi Kahiga
Governor Kahiga is one of the few Mt. Kenya governors who support UDA. During DP Ruto’s tour of the county, The Nyeri governor gave the clearest hint of him supporting the DP.
“If you want to know the history of this republic, follow former PM Raila Odinga. But if you want to know where we are headed to as a nation, follow DP William Ruto and this is what I have done,” Kahiga said
