Former Police spokesman Charles Owino writes off Nicholas Gumbo’s chances in Siaya gubernatorial race
Former Police spokesman and Siaya gubernatorial aspirant Charles Owino has asked former Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo, to forget Siaya’s top seat since the regional balance arithmetic has ruined his bid.
Speaking during a fund-drive at Sega polytechnic in Ugenya constituency, Owino told Gumbo that the regional balancing criteria that was signed and adopted in 2013 does not favour him in 2022.
"Going by the regional balancing pact, Gumbo comes from Rarieda that borders Bondo sub-County that already has EALA MP Oburu Odinga who is eying for the senatorial seat while Baba(Raila) is going for a presidential seat, so there is no way we can vote a governor from that region.
“I know Gumbo is an engineer and not privy to political terms and when we go by geo-politics then Gumbo should pray for Senator James Orengo to resume his senatorial position because if Dr Oburu insists on the Senate position then Gumbo stand blocked,” Owino said.
Earlier, Gumbo said he was ready to work with Owino to transform Siaya and improve people’s livelihoods.
“We only have 291 days to general elections and its high time electorates to scrutinise the candidates eying governor position. Ugenya where Orengo comes from have been blessed with leaders that has earned portfolios in the past regimes but has nothing to show off till 2013 when Ugenya Mp David Ochieng captured the seat," he said.
In the pre-election pact adopted in 2013, Alego-Usonga got Governor, Bondo-Deputy Governor, Ugenya Senate, Gem Women Representative, Rarieda Speaker and Ugunja majority leader.
Owino at the same time said that Senator Orengo who is eying Siaya gubernorial seat does not merit the post for he is known for sharp brain who is vast in national politics and poor on initiating developments.
He urged Orengo to honour the request by Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and be closer to Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga who is making his 5th stab at the Presidency.
He says Raila now needs his lieutenants like Orengo closer to him to give advice on many fronts.
He added that they have embraced his leadership since he rose to power and have identified his strengths and weaknesses and that is why he fits national politics and positions.
“Our brother is good, he has sharp brains, nice shoes, suits and we love him but with the kind of job we have here at the grassroots he can’t perfectly do it,” Owino said, adding that Raila will not abandon him in his kingship.
Owino stated that Senator Orengo will earn lucrative portfolio of either Attorney General or Cabinet secretary in a Raila government.
