Nyong’o and Raila's sister give Ranguma sleepless nights

Kisumu senator Prof Anyang' Nyong'o while being endorsed by leaders from Seme for the 2017 gubanatorial seat at Kit Mikayi in Kisumu county on August 26 2016. PIC BY COLLINS ODUOR

Governor Jack Ranguma is putting on a brave face a day after his deputy, Ruth Odinga, launched her governorship campaigns.

Ruth, Cord leader Raila Odinga’s younger sister, has rebelled against her boss and is banking on the support of a group calling itself the Kisumu Diaspora Movement - whose membership comprises of politicians and businessmen who come from other counties but live in Kisumu, to oust him.

Observers expect a tough race as Senator Anyang’ Nyong’o, an ODM insider and one of Mr Raila’s advisers, launched his governorship campaigns in a high profile ceremony attended by senators James Orengo (Siaya), Hassan Omar (Mombasa) and Moses Kajwang’ (Homa Bay), as well as Seme MP James Nyikal and his Nyando counterpart Fred Outa.

Ruth’s presence at Prof Nyong’o’s campaign launch sparked talk of a possible alliance in a bid to unseat Mr Ranguma. But Ruth maintained that she was firmly in the race.

INCITING PUBLIC

The group backing Ruth has been holding meetings in the town. The emergence of the group has soured the relationship between Ruth and Ranguma, with the county chief accusing Ruth of inciting the public against his administration.

In 2013, Ruth tried to vie against Ranguma but was convinced to join him in a boardroom brokered power-sharing deal.

Last week, a day after she met the group, Ruth announced her candidature, saying: “I want the people to know that Ruth Odinga is firmly in the race for governor in 2017 General Election,” she said.

She claimed that her candidacy has ruffled feathers in political circles both within Kisumu County and in ODM  where some party insiders prefer her to run either for senator or for the Kisumu Central parliamentary seat.

“I hear some people calling themselves kitchen cabinet have been trying to convince party leader Raila Odinga that I run for either senator or Kisumu Central Parliamentary seat, but my eye is set on the governor slot,” she argued.

She added: “I have a right to contest or seek any elective position and anybody thinking that Ruth is a walkover will be shocked.”

Yesterday, an unfazed Ranguma dismissed line-ups being formed by his opponents and warned them to brace for a tough political contest in the next polls.

EARLY CAMPAIGNS

The governor, who has accused his rivals of resorting to early campaigns at the expense of discharging their duties, said the formation of such line-ups was a threat to harmony and peaceful coexistence.

“It is pure betrayal to the people of Kisumu County to start engaging in political campaigns when we still have a long period to elections and mandates that we should fulfill to the public,” said Ranguma.

The governor accused some leaders eyeing the gubernatorial seat of attempting to divide residents along tribal lines.

“It is saddening to see some politicians keen to divide the people of Kisumu County along tribal lines in their quest to use them as bargaining chips,” Ranguma said.

He said the line-ups that his opponents are already building will not stop him from retaining his seat next year.

“The people of Kisumu are the ones who will decide who the next leader is and they know who has been at the forefront of bringing development in the county,” Ranguma added.

The county chief, who has received backing from a section of local MPs including Shakeel Shabbir (Kisumu East) and Onyango K’oyoo (Muhoroni), said he was unmoved by the rising political temperatures in the region and expressed confidence in recapturing his seat.

He said he would use his development record to seek re-election. Ranguma downplayed reports that ODM may not  give him a ticket to defend his seat and that he had secretly formed a party which he plans to use in case he loses at the ODM nominations.

“I am in ODM to stay. Claims that I have formed a political party is part of the propaganda by those who fear facing me in 2017,”  said Ranguma.