The Orange Democratic Movement can only retain the Nyamira gubernatorial seat if the incumbent, John Nyagarama gets a direct ticket, two former councillors have noted.
Mr Nyagarama is facing a stiff competition from county ODM chairman James Gesami for the party nominations, and is projected to battle it out with strong Jubilee aspirants; Walter Nyambati and Charles Mochama.
Speaking to this writer in Nyamira town on Thursday, Mr Julius Monda and Osebe Mosigisi were unanimous that Nyagarama has an upper hand to ‘successfully’ represent the ODM due to his incumbency.
“I have been keenly following the gubernatorial contest and I think it will be disastrous for the ODM to deny Nyagarama a ticket in 2017. He is already known everywhere and by the virtue of the incumbency, he will definitely win be re-elected,” said Monda.
“If they give a different candidate the ticket, then the race will be open thus giving their rivals a chance to win. For instance, I think Dr Gesami is only known in West Mugirango and already, there are several gubernatorial aspirants from his backyard,” Monda added.
Mosigisi on his part said Mr Nyagarama has support throughout the county, a reason why the party may not ‘waste’ time campaigning for him.
”Nyagarama is the governor meaning he is known in most parts of the county. Introducing a new candidate will be detrimental for ODM and they may lose to the opponents. They must retrain him at all cost if they are to win the seat because it won’t be time wasting to campaign for him like a new entry,” he said.