[Deputy President William Ruto with a section of Nyamira politicians at his Karen home. His meeting was precipitated by internal wrangles rocking Jubilee campaign team. Photo/Hivisasa.com]
Despite President Uhuru Kenyatta’s spirited efforts to penetrate in vote rich Gusii region, intrigues among local leaders allied to Jubilee could render his efforts meaningless.
Recently, Jubilee Party strategists zoned Kisii and Nyamira counties as tossup regions despite Kenyatta scoring poorly in 2013.
Nevertheless, Kenyatta and his DP William Ruto are facing a major headache with politicians allied to the two leaders battling for crucial county seats.
In Nyamira, Gubernatorial aspirants Walter Nyambati a close confident of Kenyatta, is taking on William Nyakiba and Charles Mochama, both close confidents of Ruto.
Rivalry between the three precipitated emergency crisis meeting at Ruto’s Karen home on Monday where the DP reportedly called for ceasefire.
“We have agreed to work together for the sake of Jubilee in Gusii region. It is my wish that we shall all adhere to what we talked today,” said Mr. Nyakiba.
Also, in Kisii County, things are not different either with Deputy Governor Joash Maangi, a close friend of Ruto, declaring his gubernatorial interest even after pledging to support Chris Obure, who had also decamped from ODM.
“I am going for Governor and I am not afraid of anybody. Let my competitors come forth and we settle it in nominations,” he said knowing that he will face Obure, who is reportedly Kenyatta’s preferred candidate.
Fundamentally, the region still remains an ODM stronghold given the magnitude of resistance Jubilee politicians have been receiving while on campaign trails.