Mudavadi Loses Grip In His Backyard In Polls Aftermath

VIHIGA, Kenya, Aug, 14 – The Kenya Kwanza coalition co-principal Musalia Mudavadi has been dominated in his backyard by the Azimio la Umoja coalition in the aftermath of the August 9^th general election.

This is manifested by the results in his home county of Vihiga where the gubernatorial seat was retained by Dr. Wilber Ottichilo of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) while the area senator-elect is Godfrey Osotsi from the same party.

Osotsi is the nominated Member of Parliament (MP) from the Amani National Congress (ANC) party which is led by Mudavadi but defected in the run-up to the election.

Raila Odinga, the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya alliance presidential candidate, garnered 143, 371 votes against Kenya Kwanza’s (KK’s) William Ruto who got 79, 722 votes.

In the county assembly that consists of 25 members, Azimio (coalition of ODM, Jubilee, Narc-Kenya and other smaller parties) has the majority of 13 while Kenya Kwanza (KK) comprising ANC, Ford Kenya and Maendeleo Chap Chap has nine and the remaining three are independents.

Mudavadi’s party gubernatorial candidate Alfred Agoi finished a distant fourth with 26, 088 votes against Dr. Ottichillo’s 82, 313 votes.

Moses Akaranga, who was the first governor, was second with 42, 432 votes as the two-time Senator of the area George Khaniri came third after garnering 28, 496 votes.

Meanwhile, the number of female Member of County Assembly (MCAs) increased from one to three indicating more women are venturing into politics in the region.

The only woman MCA in the last assembly was Gladys Analo representing Busali ward in Sabatia constituency who was, paradoxically, trounced by Florence Kegode.

The others are Pauline Amwata, Maragoli Central and Gladys Yalwala of Chavakali ward.