[Kisumu governor Jack Ranguma. He has said that he is confident of defending his seat successfully during the August polls. Courtesy: The Star]
Kisumu governor Jack Ranguma has asked his archrival and Kisumu Senator Anyang' Nyong'o to brace for a bruising political battle during the forthcoming general elections.
Ranguma will be defending his seat as an independent candidate after controversially losing the ODM Party ticket to the lawmaker during the party primaries.
Speaking earlier in the week, Ranguma exuded confidence in recapturing his seat, despite stiff competition from Nyong'o.
He cited his track record for the past four and half years as the county chief.
“The choice is between protecting the needs of the common resident versus safeguarding the elite interests that are being served by our opponents,” he said.
“Our farmers can now take their produce to the market faster and affordably. We can easily get to hospital. Our schools, markets and churches are more accessible," he added.
The governor has since dropped Ruth Odinga as her deputy, settling on trade unionist Ephraim Kananga.
Ms Odinga had initially expressed interest in the county's top seat, but later shelved her ambitions.