Editor's Review

Obado said Migori county residents had advised him to rally behind Ruto's candidature in August general polls.

A section of Migori county residents has distanced themselves from allegations that they will support Deputy President William Ruto for the presidency in the August 9, general elections.

Speaking on Wednesday, the residents led by the speaker of the people's assembly of the Migori chapter Mr. Kennedy Ongaga, distanced themselves from Governor Obado's remarks claiming that the people of Migori are fully behind Ruto's presidency.

This was after Governor Obado reportedly claimed that the people of Migori county had advised him to rally behind Ruto's candidature in August general polls.

Speaking on Monday when he launched this year's distribution of dairy cows and Sahiwal bulls to farmers in Migori, Governor Obado is said to have declared that Migori is William Ruto's zone and that the residents have agreed to elect former Migori MP Mr. John Pesa and William Ruto as their next governor and president respectively.

However, Mr. Ongaga termed the governor's decision of linking them to DP Ruto as an act of disrespect, adding that if Okoth wants to support Ruto and Mr. John Pesa for governor, he should do it alone and not involve them.

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{Turkana Governor Josphat Nanok (left) Migori's Okoth Obado (mid) and John Lonyangapuo of West Pokot when they recently met in Nairobi. Photo: Courtesy }

He said the region remains solidly behind ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga's presidency.

"Out of yesterday's comments that we heard from the Governor of Migori Obado, I want to say that we have never declared Ruto as our president, that is Null and Void. We have been yawning for the leadership of Raila Odinga and we are declaring that this year belongs to Raila" said Mr Ongaga

Ongaga's sentiments were echoed by another resident Jackline Ochieng Ojwang, who told off Obado, claiming he had ashamed Migori residents.

According to Jackline, the governor was voted in through an ODM ticket but has now betrayed the party and supported Raila's competitor.

She said they will not allow Obado to force them into supporting Ruto, adding that Migori residents will fully rally behind Raila Odinga's bid on August 9.

"Obado has ashamed us, we gave him our votes on the ODM ticket but has gone ahead to support Ruto. He is forcing us to support Ruto but we tell him that we will never support his candidate as Migori residents, we are well-known supporters of Raila Odinga" said Jackline Ochieng.

Obado's candidate John Pesa is expected to face off with ODM's Dr. Ayacko for Migori gubernatorial seat.