Senator Osotsi announces bid for Vihiga governorship

ODM Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]

Senator and ODM Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi has declared his intention to run for the Vihiga County governor's seat in the 2027 General Election.

Osotsi announced his bid on Sunday during a Thanksgiving mass attended by opposition leader Raila Odinga.

Speaking Osotsi said he wants to be the governor of Vihiga County come 2027.

"My people are no longer calling me Senator, they call me governor. I have sat down and decided that I will follow the call. I now declare my interest in the position of governorship come 2027 when the current governor will be leaving,"said Osotsi.

Osotsi made it clear that his views had changed, revealing his aspirations to take on the governor's role.

"As I reflect on the work that still needs to be done for the people of Vihiga, I have decided to run for governor in 2027. I am ready to serve you in a new capacity and bring about the change our county needs," he said during his address at the mass.

Earlier this year, Osotsi had strongly refuted such speculation, arguing that it was too early to engage in 2027 politics.

At the time, he emphasized the importance of leaders focusing on serving the people and delivering on their promises rather than engaging in early campaigns.

"It is too early to talk about the next elections. Our focus should remain on serving the voters," Osotsi had stated, dismissing any notion of a governorship bid in the near future.

Osotsi had said as the senator, he will stick to his oversight role to ensure Governor Ottichilo's government delivers to the people.

Emuhaya MP Omboko Millemba, Makadara MP George Aladwa, businessman Alex Kidake are among those eyeing the county seat.

"We can't be speaking politics from Monday to Monday; January to January for five years at the expense of serving the electorate," Osotsi said earlier while at Luanda Township PAG on Sunday where he was attending a church service.

Former Sabatia MP Alfred Agoi said Ottichilo has not exited his office. "I have been asking myself whether Ottichilo has resigned from office or what is happening because in churches and funerals people are busy looking for the governor seat," Agoi said.