The race of who will be the second governor of Trans Nzoia County has now narrowed down to two heavyweights – former Regional Commissioner George Natembeya and Kiminini Member of Parliament Chris Wamalwa.
This is after businessman Moses Khaoya, who was eyeing the seat on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket stepped down in favor of Natembeya.
ODM leader Raila Odinga announced Khaoya’s decision to drop out of the race on Friday, during a rally in the county.
“Hawa ni vijana wangu, na wote wanang’ang’ania hii kiti. Hawa wote ni watoto wangu na nimeambia huyu awache, ataunga mkono huyu hapa,” Raila said while holding both Natembeya and Khaoya’s hands.
And after shelving his gubernatorial ambitions, the former Prime Minister said he had appointed the businessman as his presidential campaign manager in Trans Nzoia.
“Huyu sasa atakua campaign manager wangu hapa Trans Nzoia,” Raila said, amid cheers from hundreds of locals that had turned up for the rally.
When given a microphone to speak, Khaoya said he respects the direction that Raila had said about the Trans Nzoia gubernatorial seat and vowed to support Natembeya, who quit his Rift Valley regional Commissioner post to vie for the seat.
“Kwa vile baba ambaye naheshimu ameniongelesha na amesema mbele yenu, nimetii amri,” he said.
“Nilikua na familia kubwa, na sasa nakuomba ndugu yangu (Natembeya) uweze kurudi chini, uombe kura kwa usalama na unyenyekevu na tusimame nyuma yako,” he added.
Natembeya is vying for the Trans Nzoia gubernatorial seat on a Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) ticket – and is now the only candidate from Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition.
Chris Wamalwa on the other hand is flying the Kenya Kwanza flag, vying on a Ford Kenya ticket.
Both aspirants have picked running mates from the Kalenjin community – the second most dominant community in the county.
Natembeya settled on Philomena Koech from the Sabaot sub-tribe, while Wamalwa picked former School Principal Bethwel Kirior – from the Nandi tribe.