[Water CS Eugene Wamalwa, DP William Ruto, Labour Party leader Ababu Namwamba and former Funyula MP Paul Otuoma. Otuoma was formally welcomed to Jubilee during the event. Courtesy: The Star]
Siaya governor Cornell Rasanga has dismissed former Funyula MP Paul Otuoma's decision to ditch NASA for Jubilee as inconsequential.
Speaking on Tuesday, the governor noted that Otuoma's defection was punctuated by self-interest and adds no value to the Jubilee wing since the former lawmaker's backyard is solidly behind NASA presidential candidate Raila Odinga.
He further argued that Otuoma does not command any following in Busia County, adding that that is why the county's incumbent governor Sospeter Ojaamong beat him during the August polls.
Otuoma unsuccessfully vied for the Busia governorship seat as an independent candidate after losing out on the ODM party ticket to Ojaamong during the party primaries.
"I encourage ODM supporters in Busia not to be shaken by Otuoma's move as he is only representing his selfish interests," Rasanga said.
"Those who voted for Otuoma did so in honour of Raila, especially after he came back to ODM, but despite that he got a resounding defeat on an independent ticket." He added.
Otuoma formerly moved to Jubilee Party on Monday, vowining to root for the reelection of President Uhuru Kenyatta during the October 17 repeat polls.