Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma and his deputy Ruth Odinga at a past event. Photo/ the-star.co.ke

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Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma has said he may consider retaining his deputy, Ruth Odinga, as his running mate in the August 8 polls in a move that could neutralise the bickering between the two leaders.The county chief on Wednesday said he would not mind retaining the ODM party leader, Raila Odinga's sister as his running mate.The deputy governor had earlier indicated she would vie for the post of governor, a pronouncement that triggered supremacy battles at the county's Prosperity House headquarters in the lakeside city.Last week, Ruth dropped out of the gubernatorial race citing failure to raise the mandatory Sh250,000 the ODM party expects female candidates to pay before being cleared for the gubernatorial party primaries.Ranguma said Ruth has not formally communicated to him over her decision to drop her bid but said he would welcome her back to the contest as his deputy.“I have not received any indications from my deputy, Ruth, that she is not going to run,” Ranguma told the press in Kisumu.“What I have been seeing are only in the press. She has not officially told me so. Even though it will be best to cross the bridge when we get there, Ruth still has an opportunity to run,” he added.Now that she is out of the race, Ranguma will battle it out with Senator Prof Anyang Nyong'o and businessman Hezron McObewa for the ODM ticket during the primaries.A poll conducted between March 31 and April 2 showed Ranguma would easily retain his seat with an approval rating of 58 percent.Nyong'o came second (8.7 percent), McObewa (6.8 percent) while Ruth ranked last with a paltry 0.3 percent.