Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago has responded to the recent wooing by NASA leaders.

NASA leader Raila Odinga on Wednesday shocked residents of Eldoret Town after he declared his support for Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago.

Read Also: Raila endorses Jubilee Governor

Mandago on Thursday welcomed the NASA endorsement and hinted at vying for a top national seat after his tenure ended as Uasin Gishu Governor.

Speaking during NASA’s campaign rally at 64 Stadium in Eldoret, the opposition leaders called upon residents to vote for Governor Mandago insisting that he was the right man to propel the county to the ‘promised land’.

“If my vote was for Uasin Gishu County, I could vote – without doubt – for Governor Mandago for a second term. We, NASA, are fully behind Governor Mandago,” NASA running mate, Kalonzo Musyoka told the excited crowd.

Also present at the NASA rally were principals Musalia Mudavadi (Amani), Isaac Rutto (CCM) and Moses Wetang'ula (Ford Kenya).

The endorsement of Raila and the NASA top brass will be an unlikely advantage for Mandago who is facing stiff competition from businessman Bundotich Kiprop popularly known as Buzeki who is running as an independent.

Mandago trounced Buzeki during the Jubilee primaries garnering 126,681 votes against his rival’s 82,869.

This is not the first time the NASA leaders have supported a governor in a perceived Jubilee stronghold.

The Opposition leaders have also backed Meru Governor Peter Munya who has declared bis support for the re-election of President Uhuru Kenyatta during the August 8 polls.