Ayacko follows Obado script to win governor seat

Senator Ochilo Ayacko. [David Njaaga, Standard]

Migori Senator Ochilo Ayacko has vowed to pick his deputy governor from the Kuria community.

The senator who was crowned as a Kuria elder and endorsed to run for the gubernatorial seat in 2022 on Sunday, said that he will pick an able Kuria man or woman to be his deputy.

“I will empower his or her office to be able to deliver the mandates of devolution across Migori County,” he said.

He is giving a second stab at the governor seat after losing to governor Okoth Obado in the 2017 elections.

The senator has followed the footsteps of his political rival Obado who was crowned by the Kuria elders as he picked the now deputy governor Mwita Mahanga from the Kuria community ahead of the 2013 elections.

Ayacko also for peace and unity in the county with over eight tribes ahead of General Election. “I believe we can witness a steady transition of power devoid of political skirmishes witnessed in the past,” Ayacko said.

The county was once classified among violence hot spots after it witnessed violence during the 2017 elections.

Others in the race to succeed Obado include former Cabinet minister Dalmas Otieno, former MPs John Dache Pesa (Migori), Edick Anyanga (Nyatike), businessmen  Phillip Ogari Mwabe, Owiso Ngao, Prof Mark Ogutu, Migori County Secretary Christopher Rusana and Speaker Boaz Okoth.