Uasin Gishu County governor Jackson Mandago and Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi endorse ODM’s Charles Okumu. [Photo/Nation]

Do you have a lead on a newsworthy story? Share news tips with us here at Hivisasa!

In what could be seen as betrayal, a powerful Rift Valley Jubilee governor and a Member of Parliament have s endorsed Jubilee’s rival candidate in the forthcoming August 8 polls.

Uasin Gishu County governor Jackson Mandago and Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi on Friday, openly declared to support ODM’s Langas ward candidate Charles Okumu’s candidature.

The two, Mandago and Sudi, are loyal supporters of president Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee party.

Their move comes barely days after the National Super Alliance (Nasa) principals during a recent rally in Eldoret endorsed Mandago for the Uasin Gishu county top seat.

Madago noted that his decision to back the ODM governor was ‘returning a hand’ to the opposition leaders after they also endorsed his gubernatorial bid.

“If my vote was for Uasin Gishu County, I could vote, without a doubt for governor Mandago for a second term,’’ said Kalonzo Musyoka, the Nasa running mate, during a rally at 64 stadium.

Mandago is facing stiff competition from businessman Bundotich Buzeki who is vying for the seat as an independent candidate.