Gumbo, Oduol vow to unseat Governor Rasanga

Gumbo, Oduol vow to unseat Governor Rasanga

Rarieda Member of Parliament Eng Nicholas Gumbo and Siaya politician William Oduol have formed a political partnership in a bid to clinch the Siaya County gubernatorial seat come 2017.

The duo, who are eying the seat on an ODM ticket, have vowed to support whoever among them wins the party nominations.

Speaking at Rarieda Mixed Secondary School in Rarieda Constituency while launching his gubernatorial campaigns, Rarieda MP Eng Gumbo stated that his major reason for vying the position is to liberate the people of Siaya from poverty by introducing viable development project that will benefit the residents.

Gumbo regretted that despite the massive support Governor Rasanga received from leaders during the 2013 General Election and by election, he has failed to deliver to the people of Siaya.

Oduol, who vied for the same ticket in 2013 and later challenged the results forcing the courts to order a by election, stated that he is willing to support Eng Gumbo and be his running mate should he defeat him in the nominations.

He expressed optimism that a Gumbo-Oduol pact will win the elections.

The pact received support from Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo, who stated that his vote and support would remain for a Gumbo-Oduol partnership whether they fail or succeed.

Mr Midiwo a strong critic of the governor, accusing the county leadership of corruption.

Speaking in his Segere home, Siaya governor Cornel Rasanga, however, expressed confidence that he will retain his seat in 2017, stating that his opponents do not have any agenda.

Rasanga noted that his opponents should be able to clearly state to the people of Siaya what they have done and their manifestos for 2017 to warrant his seat.

“It is only Siaya out of the 47 counties that when we get to August 2017, will be at four years of devolution. This is because of the petition made by Oduol in 2013 after I successfully defeated him. Democratically other contestants are allowed to come and compete with me and I welcome them, especially if they are worthy,” stated the governor.

Rasanga also told off Oduol for declaring to run for the gubernatorial seat in 2017 with an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket despite putting him through the process of paying the costs imposed on him by the courts after he challenged his election.

“It is supposed to be noted that he challenged my election when he was on another party and I was in ODM. To date I am yet to repay the costs imposed on me by the court and he is now coming to contest on an ODM ticket, very questionable, double standards,” the governor said.

Rasanga revealed that he is not afraid to meet his opponents at the ballot where the residents will judge them.

“I am also very aware that Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo and Oduol are aligning themselves to form a team to get my seat. I am sure that Oduol is likely to be a running mate of Gumbo but am also warming up to defeat them in 2017,” he argued.

Among those in the race is also former permanent secretary in the grand coalition government, Carrey Orege.

Tags:

odm 2017 SIAYA Cornel Rasanga Rarieda member of parliament eng. Nicholas Gumbo William Oduol gumbo Siaya Governor Governor Cornel Rasanga uduol

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