Homa Bay Woman Representative Gladys Wanga is putting on a brave face amidst a fierce onslaught from former Nairobi Governor Dr Evans Kidero.
The two are eying Homa Bay Governor seat in the August 9, general election.
While Wanga will be flying the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) flag, Kidero will be facing the battle on an independent ticket.
The two who are the main contenders for the seat have in the recent past engaged in vicious campaigns.
I have been handling the Finance Bill as the chair of the Finance Committee among other duties. I am not under any pressure
Gladys Wanga
Their supporters have come up with a unique campaign method where they traverse Homa Bay town every evening.
Even though the match have been peaceful, there have been reported cases of violence pitting the two groups.
However, amidst the public eye, both camps are believed to be approaching the elections with their best feet forward, going by the amount of work and money pumped into the campaigns.
Kidero is running as an independent candidate after shrugging off attempts by the ODM party to have Wanga as the sole candidate through consensus.
High stakes
So high are the stakes that Wanga has reduced her appearances at the ODM national election campaign meetings, choosing instead to stay in Homa Bay in a move to counter the Evans Kidero wave.
While Wanga downplayed her absence from national Azimio events, her brother Robert Nyasuna let the cat out of the bag by attempting to explain why they were spending more time in Homa Bay.
“Raila also needs votes in Homa Bay,” he said.
Homa Bay is one of Raila’s vote basket with a traditional near 100 per cent of votes for the Azimio presidential candidate.
I was at the KICC when we unveiled Baba’s running mate and then I accompanied Martha Karua on her tour of Mt Kenya
Wanga
Wanga however said there was no pressure from any candidate and said ODM will carry the day.
She said she had been juggling party activities and other roles that may have been misconstrued to be a deliberate plan to stay away.
“I was at the KICC when we unveiled Baba’s running mate and then I accompanied Martha Karua on her tour of Mt Kenya,” she said.
She added: “I have been handling the Finance Bill as the chair of the Finance Committee among other duties. I am not under any pressure.”
With Homa Bay voters torn between Kidero and Wanga, following the latter’s controversial nomination to fly the ODM flag, the county will be an interesting place to watch as the official campaign period sets in.
Homa Bay being regarded as one of Baba’s bedroom is going to be very interesting. We are waiting to see what the party is going to do to ward off the onslaught that’s been piled by Dr. Kidero if they are to hold on to the gubernatorial seat.