Two aspirants from Vihiga County were cleared by the electoral body at Chavakali high school to vie for the gubernatorial seat on Thursday. The two aspirants Wilber Otichilo (ODM) and current Governor Moses Akaranga (PPK) were given the go ahead by IEBC to contest the coveted seat.
Otichilo who was first to arrive but had to wait for more than 45 minutes for his electronic nomination certificate to be produced, given that the IEBC server was low. Minutes earlier his running mate Patrick Lumumba also had a tough time convincing County Returning Officer Sarah Ogaro to clear him as he had left his first degree certificate at home.
“When I went to for my certificates to be certified, I was asked to remit any of my degrees to be confirmed. I gave them my Masters’ degree certificate which I have brought for verification,” explained Lumumba.
However, Otichilo was later given his nomination certificate after they convinced the returning officer that they would bring the first degree certificate.
Otichilo exuded confidence that he will win in the next polls and promised to improve infrastructure, water sector and welfare of the people if given chance to be governor.
Current Vihiga Governor Moses Akaranga who arrived in style with his wife and supporters at 12 pm was also cleared and the County returning officer said he had fulfilled all the requirements needed by the agency to run for the seat. After being cleared, the Governor and his scores of supporters thronged Kakamega-Kisumu road to escort him to his home at Ilwunza in Sabatia Sub County before he addressed the locals.
Akaranga said his development track record in Vihiga speaks volumes and said asked the residents to vote for him to finish his last term as the governor.
