KISII, Kenya, Mar 24- Okengo Nyambane has dropped his bid for the Kisii Senatorial seat, to focus on campaigning for Deputy President William Ruto.
He is set to lead the United Democratic Alliance presidential campaign in South Nyanza.
The Nairobi-based lawyer cum businessman dropped his bid after “extensive” talks with the Deputy President.
The discussions are said to have been ongoing, for more than 2 weeks.
The move is meant to ease tension between the youthful lawyer and Kisii Deputy Governor Joash Maangi, who is seeking the same position.
Maangi, a longtime ally of the Deputy President, recently ditched the Raila Odinga-led Orange Democratic Movement party, and joined UDA.
He was initially interested in the gubernatorial seat.
“Where the battle rages, the loyalty of a soldier is proved,” Nyambane said, during an interview with Shahidi News.
This would have been Nyambane’s first stab into politics.
UDA seems to have set a lineup, with key politicians fronted for the available elective seats.
On Wednesday, the Deputy President brokered a deal between Dr. Boni Khalwale and Cleophas Malala.
The two politicians were eyeing the Kakamega gubernatorial seat.
Khalwale is a member of the United Democratic Alliance while Malala is a member of the Musalia Mudavadi led Amani National Congress party.
The two parties are in the Kenya Kwanza coalition.
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