Governor aspirants in bitter fight – Weekly Citizen

All is not well at the county government of Kakamega between the chief officer for sports and social services, John Imbogo, and deputy governor Philip Kutima, who hail from the same sub-county of Malava after it emerged that Kutima wants Imbogo out of the county for showing interest to oppose him in the coming 2022 gubernatorial contest. It is not clear whether Imbogo will be on the ballot as a contestant, but Kutima allies believe he is a stumbling block in his quest to ascend to the post as he is believed to be holding secret powerful meetings with individuals who are said to have influence across the county as word on the ground is that he will be giving a stab for the position minimizing chances, of the deputy governor succeeding his boss.

Philip Kutima

Governor Wycliffe Oparanya who is serving his second and last term is being seen as tilting towards the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited chief executive officer Fernandez Barasa. Another aspirant sending shockwaves is Lugari MP Ayub Savula. It is not known if Senator Cleophas Malala will run for the county top seat. Former senator Bonny Khalwale who used to receive millions from deputy president William Ruto to the campaign has gone under ever since the deputy president started being isolated in senate and parliament. Khalwale is always spotted at a joint along Mombasa road alone drinking his Guinness beer soul searching.

Ayub Savula

In what appeared like a threatening statement to Imbogo, Kutima through his close friend former deputy chair of the Kakamega county public service board Maxwell Shamalla is said to have to reach out to Imbogo at his Tumbeni home in Malava to step down for him if he has to be assured of his stay at the county just weeks after he was transferred from the finance docket. According to those present at the meeting, Shamalla claims that team Kutima had evidence of misappropriation of funds in the county and that should a case come up against Imbogo then they will help him come out clean failure to which he would be arrested and arraigned in court.

Bonny Khalwale

Imbogo according to our source declined to commit himself to step down for Kutima and maintained he believes no money had been misappropriated at the time he served as chief officer finance. Efforts by Shamalla to have Imbogo meet Kutima at a nearby social joint bore no fruits. Imbogo supporters believe it is Kutima who worked behind the scenes to ensure he is removed from the lucrative finance docket and have vowed to ensure that he is in the team that will form the next county government whether as a deputy governor or governor brushing Kutima candidature as a big joke.