Siaya governor race: Nicholas Gumbo downplays Charles Owinos withdrawal as his running mate

Siaya governor race: Nicholas Gumbo downplays Charles Owinos withdrawal as his running mate

Former police spokesman Charles Owino and ex-Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo during their unveiling as UDM flagbearer's in Siaya governor race. PHOTO | COURTESY

Former Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo now says that the withdrawal of former police spokesman Charles Owino as his running mate will not affect his candidature in the Siaya governor race.

Gumbo, who is seeking the seat on a United Democratic Movement (UDM) party ticket, has had Owino as his running mate until Wednesday evening when it was confirmed that the latter had pulled out of the race and returned to the police service.

The former MP says that even though he was not aware that Owino was planning to pull the move, it has no significant effect as he is still firmly in the race.

“The substantive candidate is not the deputy, the substantive candidate is the governor. At the end of the day, the person Siaya people will be voting for is not Charles Owino even if he was the deputy, the substantive candidate they will be voting for is Engineer Nicholas Gumbo,” he said.

“I am here in person; I wouldn’t be here if I had any fears at all that my name will not be in the ballot.”

Speaking during an interview on Ramogi TV on Wednesday, UDM Secretary General David Ohito confirmed that Mr. Owino had tendered his withdrawal letter to the party secretariat four days ago.

He however sought to assure Eng. Gumbo’s supporters that nothing had gone wrong yet; this amid reports that he had been picked as Owino’s replacement.

Gumbo is set to face ODM party’s James Orengo and independent candidate William Ochieng’ in the battle to replace incumbent Governor Cornel Rasanga.

Tags:

Siaya Governor Nicholas Gumbo David Ohito Charles Owino

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