Kenya Kwanza Alliance leaders are scratching their heads on how to settle the rivalry between Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malalah and his predecessor Boni Khalwale.

The two – who want to the next Kakamega governor –  have found themselves in the same political formation after their parties entered into a coalition.

Malalah is the Amani National Congress chairman in the county while Khalwale, is the national vice chairman of the United Democratic Alliance(UDA).

Kakamega is zoned into three blocs of Southern, Central and Northern blocs.

Both Khalwale and Malalah come from Central, which is another challenge as political seats in the county are shared based on the zones.

Deputy Governor Philip Kutima, who is also in the race for the top county seat on a DAP-Kenya ticket also hails from Central. DAP-Kenya is in the Azimio La Umoja movement.

Another aspirant, Lugari MP Ayub Savula, is from the North.

Political analysts said yesterday that the arithmetic could work in favour of former Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Chief Executive Fernandes Barasa who hails from Lower Kakamega as he does not have an opponent there.

While Kenya Kwanza is determined to clinch the governor’s seat, the coalition is facing a Herculean task.

Political analyst Martin Andati said the coalition can only produce the next governor if Malalah and Khalwale reach an agreement.

“Kenya Kwanza should negotiate and compel one of the two to shelve his ambitions. But how will they manage when both seem unwilling to drop put of the race?” posed Andati.

“And you see, Malalah has settled in Lurambi while Khalwale comes from the neighbouring Ikolomani. So the voters in the Lower bloc may cast their ballots in favour of Barasa, thus retaining the governorship in that zone,” he added.

Khalwale insisted yesterday that he was in the race to the end.

“I served as Senator between 2013 and 2017 when I sought the governorship but lost narrowly to Oparanya. Can I now negotiate for anything else surely?” he posed.

Efforts to reach Malalah were unsuccessful. But his close allies also insist he must run for governor.

Former Cabinet Minister Amukowa Anangwe, however, expressed optimism that a compromise would be reached soon.

“It is tough but negotiations are ongoing. I hope we will strike a deal a very soon,” said Prof Anangwe who hails from Butere.