Western Kenya elders endorse Raila's presidency

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga on Friday got a boost in his presidential bid after several elders drawn from Western Kenya region endorsed his candidature.

At the same time,the elders who graced the endorsement rally dubbed ' Bukhungu II' declaration crowned Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya as the Luhya spokesman a position previously held by Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi.

"We the elders of the Western region, noting that the country is geared towards a political transition, we, therefore, resolve and direct that the region shall be part of the Azimio La Umoja under the leadership of Raila Odinga,” they said in a statement read out by Peter Ludama.

During the Friday's rally organized by COTU Secretary General, Francis Atwoli several leaders allied to Mudavadi jumped ship while urging him to shelve his ambitions and back Odinga.

Among leaders who defected from ANC include, MPs Ayub Savula and Teso North MP Oku Kaunya.

Savula who until his defection was ANC's deputy party leader used the meeting to declare that he will campaign for Mr Odinga in the region.

“We have two political sides in Kenya. It is a two-horse race between Raila and Deputy President William Ruto. Because of the confusion in OKA, I have decided to abandon it and join Azimio la Umoja under Baba (Odinga),” said Mr Savula.

On his part, Mr Kaunya who invited Odinga to take his presidential campaigns to Busia County said he has led the way for ANC party leader to join the journey to take the  opposition chief to State House.

The rally saw over 20 MCAs drawn from ANC and Ford Kenya defect to ODM.

While acknowledging the endorsement, Odinga said if elected president, he will focus on revival of the  troubled Mumias Sugar Company and backed the recent move by the receiver manager, PVR Rao, to lease it to a Ugandan investor for 20 years.