An opposition governor has hinted that he has already asked for support from opposition chief Raila Odinga over his bid to become Kenya's fifth president.
Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya said on Tuesday that he is still interested in contesting for the country's top seat and expects Raila to back him.
Oparanya leads a county that overwhelmingly voted for Raila during the 2007, 2013 and 2017 general elections.
"I will be in the Presidential race in 2022, I have talked to my party leader and asked him to support me," he said in Naivasha where ODM is holding a party retreat.
"We the people of ODM are looking beyond 2022," he added.
Oparanya is ODM's deputy party leader alongside Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho who has also declared interest in the country's top seat.
Oparanya's declaration now makes him the second governor from Western region to say he will at the presidential ballot during the poll.
Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong has said more than once that he will be seeking to replace President Uhuru at State House when his term officially ends in 2022.
Oparanya said as ODM leaders, they are fully in support of the unity between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila.
"I want to clarify that the issue about the handshake is to address the agenda that was signed between Raila Odinga and Uhuru Kenyatta. We must stay together as brothers and sisters. The handshake was very important," he said.