Defiance of six-piece voting shapes Homa Bay contests

Homa Bay Governor Cyprian Awiti receives a clearance certificate from the county Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission returning officer, Michael Kosgei, on June 2, 2017. On his left is his deputy, Hamilton Orata. Awiti was cleared to defend his seat on an ODM ticket. [James Omoro, Standard]

The rebellion against the six-piece voting strategy that characterised President Uhuru Kenyatta’s campaign in Nyeri, Meru, and Tharaka Nithi counties recently - and Raila Odinga in Rarieda in his home county of Siaya - holds true for Homa Bay County.

The six-piece voting mantra is unlikely to resonate with voters in the county because the political atmosphere here, perhaps more than anywhere else in Nyanza region, was polluted by the shambolic party nominations in April, particularly so in the race for the governor’s seat.