Kakamega Governor Wycliff Oparanya has dropped his presidential ambition in support of ODM Leader Raila Odinga.
Speaking in Bungoma, the governor said that he has known the former premier well and has faith in him and urged the people of Bungoma to join those of Kakamega in backing Odinga.
Oparanya and Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho are the only leaders who applied for ODM’s presidential ticket as at the March 31 deadline.
After stepping down from the race, Odinga is expected to contest against billionaire businessman Jimmy Wanjigi to become the party’s flagbearer ahead of the August 9, 2022 General Elections.
This comes barely a month after the ODM National Elections Body (NEB) announced it would reopen applications for the party’s presidential ticket in the 2022 general elections after the conclusion of grassroot polls.
This will allow Odinga and Wanjigi to apply for the party’s presidential ticket.
The Kakamega Governor was among the leaders who accompanied the former Prime minister during the Azimio La Umoja convention at Garissa town earlier this week.
Odinga continues to visit various parts of the country popularising his political and economic agendas as he seeks to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Taking to his tweeter on October 4 2021, Oparanya praised the warm welcome they received from the leaders from North Eastern Kenya.
“We received arousing welcome from area leaders & residents who pledged to support our journey towards unifying the Country & revamping our economy,” the tweet read.