Migori governor Okoth Obado and his main rival Ochilo Ayako

With the campaigns homestretch on Migori county is facing a two horse do or die horse race for the next governor seat.

Already the county is bracing itself for a bruising battle between governor Okoth Obado and his main challenger Ochilo Ayako after the two, and three others were cleared by IEBC last week.

The two had bloody campaigns, with at least two people reported dead and several maimed ahead of April 24 primaries which at one time had the two being declared winners by two parallel returning officers.

Governor Obado is now the ODM candidate and has retained his DG Mwita Mahanga while Ayacko has sworn to send him home on Independent ticket with Lucas Mosenda as his DG.

The battle is gaining momentum with tension packed and sometimes violent campaigns witnessed during the primaries already picking up.

Apart from having the popular ODM ticket, Obado enjoys the resources powers as an incumbent.

But by winning the seat on PDP ticket, Migori residents have proven that the party is not a major indicator in the ballot.

ODM County branch, led by chairman Philip Makabong’o, have declared their support for Ayacko, but this remains to be seen, given that Raila has thrown his weight behind the governor.

“Even the party headquarters is aware of our decision. We know the nominations were shambolic and choose to stand with Ayacko for governor and Raila for president,” Makabong’o said.

So far Obado enjoys support from his Uriri backyard and Kuria and Nyatike areas, while Ayako has solid support in Rongo, Awendo and Suna East. Suna West is up in grabs.

This may change as politicals alignment are taking shape after candidates picked their deputies and their supporters fared in the conclude primaries.