[Richard Onyonka hugging Raila Odinga in a past event. He has received backing from the veteran leader at the expense of ODM candidate. Photo/Nation]
Opposition leader Raila Odinga has dropped ODM candidate for Kitutu Chache South in favour of Ford Kenya aspirant ahead of Tuesday's much anticipated mini poll.
Ealier, there were confusions of who to be backed by the NASA coalition in a competition that President Uhuru Kenyatta's party has fielded only one candidate.
At Ruga center, Odinga backed Richard Onyonka at the expense of ODM's Sam Omwando, a stauch supporter of the orange party insisting that the decision was reached after consultations.
"We came to an agreement that we support one strong candidate and we must also vote as one unit," he said.
The NASA leader added: "For us to defeat Jubilee, we had to make such sacrifices. It is not ill intended."
While Jubilee had fielded Antony Kibagendi, NASA will have Onyonka, Omwando, Justus Mochoge (ANC) and Wiper's Andrew Maubi.
The seat is crucial to either side of political divide with Odinga keen to stamp his authority in vote rich Gusii region.
Prior to his shift to Ford Kenya, Onyonka was in ODM party and bolted out due to internal wrangles.