Cracks within Azimio La Umoja in Kakamega County appear to have widened after former Cabinet Minister, Cyrus Jirongo, was captured appearing to vouch for Kenya Kwanza's senatorial candidate, Boni Khalwale.
Jirongo who is contesting the gubernatorial seat rooted for Khalwale against his rival, Orange Democratic Movement's (ODM) Brian Lishenga at a rally on Tuesday, July 19.
ODM and Jirongo's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party are affiliates of Azimio La Umoja.
"Even though we fall in different political parties, Khalwale is the right man to chat the right path for Luhyas," Jirongo stated.
Khalwale took to his social media to appreciate the support. "Thank You," he tweeted.
Azimio failed to convince Jirongo to step down for its gubernatorial candidate, Fernandes Barasa, who is running on an ODM ticket.
Reports alleged that Jirongo fell out with incumbent Kakamega Governor and ODM's deputy party leader, Wycliffe Oparanya.
This was after Jirongo accused Oparanya of executing a scheme to destroy Western Kenya leaders. Oparanya responded by claiming that Jirongo was Deputy President William Ruto's mole in Azimio.
"Who doesn't know that he is a mole in Azimio?" Oparanya wondered.
He, however, urged Jirongo to support Barasa who he argued was the best-fit candidate to succeed him.
Barasa, is nonetheless, facing stiff competition from Senator Cleophas Malala who is contesting for the gubernatorial seat on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) seat.
Malala signed a gentleman's agreement with Khalwale to run for the top seat as the latter settled for the senatorial position.
The two, however, differed later on as Khalwale campaigned for ODM's Fernandes Barasa.
