Western Kenya hopes for top seats in Azimio government up in smoke

Hopes of Western region clinching plum positions in the national government have been shut after Azimio Presidential candidate Raila Odinga lost to Kenya Kwanza’s opponent William Ruto.

Raila had promised to give key positions to leaders from Western region if he wins the presidential elections and forms the government. 

Raila had promised former speaker of National Assembly Kennedy Marende the position of senate speaker, Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya the finance ministry and Eugene Wamalwa the position of defence cabinet position.

Chances of Marende winning the senate seat are slim after Kenya Kwanza has majority of the senators than the Azimio team.

Now all eyes have shifted to ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi and Bungoma senator Moses Wetangula who are the Principals in Kenya Kwanza alliance.

The house of Mulembe is waiting to see what Mudavadi and Wetangula will be offered by the President elect to bring back home.

Mudavadi and Wetangula had been promised by Kenya Kwanza 30 per cent of the government slots if they deliver 70 Percent of the votes from Western region.

“ We were expecting key positions of speaker of the senate and the finance if Raila could have won the elections. Now he has lost to the President elect William Ruto we expect Musalia and Wetangula to bring 30 percent of the government slots home,” said the Vihiga residents.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chebukati declared Deputy President William Ruto president elect after garnering 7.1 million votes against Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition candidate Raila Odinga’s 6.9 million votes.  

Raila has, however, rejected the results saying Chebukati showed disregard to the Constitution by announcing results processed unilaterally.

He also claimed that the chair was the only person who accessed the presidential tally and informed the commissioners without permitting any discussion of the results.