You are on own. That is what Bunyore elders told former National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende on his quest for the Vihiga governorship.

The elders have instead endorsed incumbent Governor Wilber Ottichilo as their preferred candidate, saying Marende’s candidature will hurt the community’s chances of retaining the seat.

Elders, while addressing the press at Anyole Ranet Hall in Emuhaya yesterday after their consultative meeting, said they settled on Ottichilo for the governorship and Nominated MP Godfrey Osotsi for Senate seat. 

Led by their chairman Ben Achila and patron Edward Ohare, the elders said only Ottichilo and Osotsi had strong political muscle to fight for the seats.

“The Bunyore Council of Elders insists on endorsement of Governor Wilber Ottichilo and Nominated MP Godfrey Osotsi as their preferred candidates for governor and senator seats respectively. We do not recognise other aspirants from Bunyore community,” they said in their statement. This comes days after the elders’ attempts to convince Marende (pictured) to pull out of the race to pave way for Ottichilo failed.

 Marende is said to have told off the elders, saying he was already on the ground hunting for votes.

Ottichilo is in ODM while Marende is in Democratic Action Party – Kenya.