Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga State House bid got a major boost yesterday, Monday, January 17, when over 30 governors endorsed him including 12 outgoing governors.
Governors who converged at Naivasha to endorse the ODM leader included those serving their second term and first-term governor.
With their endorsement, Raila stands to gain from their deep pockets as the county chiefs have the ability to amass a campaign war chest.
Outgoing governors in Western and Nyanza
In the larger Western region out of the five governors of the region, only two are seeking reelection in the forthcoming General Election.
Bungoma governor Wicleffy Wangamati and his Vihiga counterpart Wilberforce Otichilo will be on the ballot seeking a second and final term.
They have both declared their support for Raila Odinga.
Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya, Busia governor Sospiter Ojaamong’o and Trans Nzoia governor Patrick Khaemba are all on their second term as governors’ of their respective counties.
In Nyanza, the bedroom of Raila Odinga, the governor James Ongwae of Kisii, governor Cyprian Awiti of Homabay, and governor Cornel Rasanga are all behind the ODM leader and they are doing their final terms in office.
Out going governors at the Coast.
Mombasa governor Hassan Joho and Amason Kingi are the only governors serving their second and taste term as governors from the coastal region that are supporting Raila’s presidential bid.
Amason Kingi who ditched ODM and launched his own party, the Pamoja Africa Alliance party, said his party will not field a presidential candidate instead they will support Raila’s candidature.
Mt Kenya governors.
Out of the 10 counties of the Mt Kenya region, only Embu governor Martin Wambora who is chair of the Council Of Governors is serving his final term in office.
Wambora is among the governors who endorsed ODM leader in Naivasha, for the forthcoming August election.
Rift Valley
In the former Rift Valley province, out of the 14 counties that has outgoing governors, only Elgeyo Marakwet governor Alex Tolgos is supporting Raila Odinga.
Tolgos has also declared interest in the senatorial seat where he will battle out without William Ruto’s close ally senator Kipchumba Murkomen.
Eastern and North Eastern
In the whole of Eastern and North Eastern, only two governors who are serving their final term are supporting Raila’s candidature.
Makueni governor Kivutha Kibwana and his Machakos counterpart Alfred Mutua have all come out to support Raila.
Relevancy of outgoing governors
With their endorsement, Raila stands to gain from their deep pockets as the county chiefs have the ability to help him put together some financial muuscles.
Some critics have been quick to water down the governors’ endorsement saying that outgoing governors will have little impact in the presidential race.
Some observe that having served their terms, they will not be in a position to use energy as compared to those seeking re-election.
