Kakamega gubernatorial aspirants Wycliffe Oparanya and rival Boni Khalwale (R).
The Kakamega gubernatorial race has taken a new twist with the incumbent Wycliffe Oparanya and senator Senator Boni Khalwale digging into each other for a bruising contest.
Oparanya has already indicated he will accept the verdict of the electorate in the county that has the highest numbers of registered voters.
Woes facing sugarcane farmers in Mumias, unemployment, high poverty levels and education are assumed to be some of the main factors to decide the winner from the list five contestants.
Others in the race are Jubilee's Mable Muruli, ANC's Michael Osundwa (ANC) and Suleiman Sumba of Kanu.Three candidates have picked running mates from Malava, something that speaks volumes of their interest in the constituency with close to 69,000 registered voters followed by Lurambi at around 61,000 eligible voters.Most of the campaigns are now being held daily in Kakamega town, Lurambi constituency and in Malava.
Khalwale's strategy is dancing through the streets with supporters and Isikuti dancers most evenings after rallies in other areas.Oparanya, Osundwa and Muruli have similarly picked their running mates from Malava.Though Oparanya has retained his deputy Philip Kutima, the senator went for Engineer James Lusamamba from neighbouring Lugari.
Muruli has picked former university lecturer John Marani. Suleiman Sumba has partnered with Harry Young from Lurambi while Osundwa is partnering Caleb Sunguti.Boasting of a population of over 1.6 million people, the county is among the most populous counties in Kenya coming second only to Nairobi.
It boasts of 12 constituencies and 60 wards and is viewed as a NASA stronghold.