January 24, 2025

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Shinyalu MP Kizito rejoins Kakamega governor race

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Shinyalu MP Justus Kizito has rejoined the race for the Kakamega gubernatorial seat.

He announced that he would not defend his seat and would instead seek to succeed Governor Wycliffe Oparanya.

The lawmaker said he would vie on the Orange Democratic Movement ticket and promised his opponents “a battle royale.”

Speaking at Muraka Primary School when he commissioned a classroom block, he also said he would play a pivotal role in determining who succeeds him in Shinyalu.

 “I am now the ODM county chairman after ousting Deputy Governor Philip Kutima in recent elections.

 “I will be going for nothing short of the governorship in next year’s elections. I want Kakamega people to enjoy fruits of devolution,” he said. Kizito had earlier declared interest in the seat but chickened out last year.

His re-entry now pushes the number of aspirants to 11.

Others in the race are Senator Cleophas Malalah, Lugari MP Ayub Savula, former Cabinet minister Amukowa Anangwe and former Senator Boni Khalwale.

Kenya Electricity Transmission Company chief executive Fernandes Barasa, his Metropol counterpart Sam Omukoko, Kakamega County Assembly Clerk Laban Atemba,businessmen Leonard Shimaka and Michael Osundwa are also in the race.

Kizito claimed Malalah and Savula are being used by Deputy President William Ruto to divide Luhya votes and urged ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi to back ODM leader Raila Odinga’s bid for the presidency.

Credit:PD