The Only Western Kenya County Where Ruto Might Struggle in the Upcoming Polls(Opinion)

As the next general election is nearing, aspirants for various seats have started laying down strategies that could help them win the seats of their interests.

Presidential aspirants have started forming alliances and traversing the country in hunt of votes. President Ruto who is seeking second term is expected to carry the broad-based flag in the presidential race.

After falling out with a section of Mt Kenya voters, Ruto has shifted his focus to other blocs like Western, Nyanza, Coast and North Eastern to fill the gap left by the vote rich region.

In Western Kenya, Ruto has secured the support of ODM which is the most popular party in the region. However, the head of state could struggle in Bungoma county due to the following two reasons:

First, Bungoma is the backyard of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and the Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetangula.

The county has been following Wetangula for a long time. However, with the emerging of Sifuna as a popular figure, the two heavyweights could split Bungoma voters between them.

Senator Sifuna is likely to sway some voters to the opposition while Wetangula could also deliver a portion of the votes in the county to President Ruto.

Secondly, ODM which Ruto is banking on to deliver Western Kenya is not popular in Bungoma. The party has been getting majority of seats in other Western Kenya counties i.e Kakamega, Busia and Vihiga but not Bungoma

Since 2013, ODM has won only one parliamentary seat in Bungoma county. That was Sirisia parliamentary seat that was won by John Waluke in 2013.