New Ford Kenya candidate Kenneth Lusaka could clinch the Bungoma governor's seat in Monday's election despite a spirited fightback from Internal Security assistant minister Alfred Khang'ati of ODM.

The former Livestock PS emerged as front runner for the position when he plunged into elective politics last September and the assistant minister his strongest challenger from the pack that includes Ford Kenya's Jack Tumwa, TNA's Cosmas Barasa and UDF's Wabwoba Walinywa.

Both Lusaka and Khang'ati hail from the dominant Bukusu community and have picked their running mates from among the Sabaot resident in Mt Elgon. Lusaka's running mate is Hillary Chemoiywo from Kaptama and Khang'ati's is Mukholi arap Soet from Cheptais.

Bungoma county has nine constituencies-Mt Elgon, Kimilili, Tongaren, Webuye East, Webuye West, Kabuchai, Sirisia, Kanduyi and Bumula with a total of 411,981 registered voters whom candidates have been wooing since the campaigns begun.

Khang'ati, Trade minister Moses Wetang'ula-the Ford K boss and Cord principal, Lands assistant minister Bifwoli Wakoli, FK secretary general Eseli Simiyu were present during a meeting at Rosswood Hotel when FK parliamentary and ward candidates demanded that Tumwa step down.Also at the meeting was Bungoma ODM chair John Waluke and secretary Majimbo Okumu

Lusaka has demanded police investigate, arrest and charge authors of leaflets bearing his picture and purported to be his manifesto with the transfer of the Bungoma county headquarters from Bungoma to Kamukuywa as his major task should he win.

The ex-PS said the leaflets which surfaced last week were cheap propaganda aimed at tarnishing his image and undercutting his popularity among voters.