Willis Otieno Declares Interest In Succeeding Gachagua, Exudes Confidence Mt Kenya Will Back Him

• Lawyer Willis Otieno said he would become the next deputy president after Rigathi Gachagua in the next elections
• Otieno said he would rally behind a presidential candidate from the Mt Kenya region for his bid to be supported by the voters
• He noted that most ODM politicians have not declared interest in the president and his deputy's positions apart from Raila Odinga

Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

Political tensions are escalating within Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's support base, amid reports of discord in the Mt. Kenya region.

Amidst these rifts and alleged isolation of the region by President William Ruto's government, lawyer Willis Otieno has announced his intention to succeed Gachagua.

What is Willis Otieno's game plan?

While speaking during an interview at Ramogi TV, Otieno who is also the deputy leader of the Safina Party, exuded confidence in garnering massive support from the Mt. Kenya region, pledging to support a presidential candidate from the province.

"In the 2022 elections, 60% of Ruto's votes came from Mt Kenya. Currently, they are not in good terms. If they withdraw their support, Nyanza voters will back them and advocate for a president from the region with a deputy from Luo land . I aim to rival Rigathi Gachagua," said Otieno.

Otieno, known for his outspoken nature, has revealed his participation in ODM meetings, where his bid for the deputy presidency received a positive reception, particularly among leaders from the Nyanza region.

Why Willis Otieno wants to succeed Gachagua

He emphasised the significance of his candidacy for the interests of the Nyanza region.

Notably, the advocate highlights the apparent lack of presidential aspirations among prominent Luo leaders, except Raila Odinga who is eyeing the African Union Commission chairmanship.

He observed that the ambition among these leaders seems confined to parliamentary and gubernatorial roles, with only Embakasi East MP Babu Owino aspiring to lead Nairobi.

"No Luo leader has declared interest in the presidency apart from Raila Odinga. Most of them only want to become governors in their respective counties apart from Babu Owino who declared interest in becoming the Nairobi governor. The ODM's main focus now is Raila's AUC ambition," he added.

Gachagua is abandoned and isolated, says Kioni

Meanwhile, Jubilee Party's secretary general Jeremiah Kioni claimed that the deputy president has been abandoned and isolated by the Kenya Kwanza government.

He argued that Gachagua was merely a tool to secure votes from the Mt Kenya region, allowing Ruto to become president.

According to Kioni, he warned Gachagua after their election but he failed to heed his advice.

Proofreading by Otukho Jackson, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke