Daggers have been drawn in ODM leader Raila Odinga’s Siaya backyard as incumbents face stiff competition from aspirants in various positions.
The hopefuls, who include former MPs and new entrants, have started giving the incumbents sleepless nights ahead of the party primaries.
In the gubernatorial race, former Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo, who gave outgoing Governor Cornel Rasanga a run for his money in the 2017 polls, has hit the ground running and is expected to face off with Senator James Orengo, ODM’s favourite, according to multiple party sources.
“The bigger focus for me is Azimio (la Umoja) which we are solidifying support for, but I’ll decide whether to vie on ODM, as an independent candidate or other parties within this framework,” Mr Gumbo told the Nation yesterday.
Former police spokesperson Charles Owino and lawyer George Mugoye are also eyeing the seat, with Mr Owino promising Mr Orengo the mother of all battles for the ODM ticket. Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi withdrew from the race and will concentrate on his Parliamentary seat.
In the race for Senate, Mr Odinga’s elder brother, Dr Oburu Oginga, will face off with Gem politician Julius Okinda and Tony Yogo from Bondo.
Dr Oginga has said he should not be judged by his age but by his capacity to legislate for the well-being of the people of Siaya.
Mr Okinda says he intends to provide effective oversight on all county projects to ensure prompt execution at reasonable costs.
Through engagement with national and county government, he says he also intends to work towards maximum use of Yala swamp for agriculture.
Siaya Woman Rep Christine Ombaka has several aspirants who are seeking to dislodge her from the position she has held since 2013. They include Dr Pamela Akello, Ms Dorothy Awino, Ms Maureen Oduor, s Emily Akinyi, Ms Mary Olute, Ms Maureen Oduor and Ms Ruth Apondi.
The most political heat is,however, expected in the battle for the county’s six parliamentary seats – Bondo, Rarieda, Alego Usonga, Gem, Ugunja and Ugenya.
The Bondo seat has incumbent Gideon Ochanda who will fight it out with Mr John Andiwo Mwai, Mr Thomas Obondo, Dr Lynette Olima and Mr Fred Banja.
Mr Ochanda from the Yimbo clan, could have an upper hand in terms of the clan matrix. Yesterday, he said clan politics could play out but not in a big way as “my development record speaks for itself”.
In Alego Usonga, MP Samuel Atandi is facing stiff challenge from University of Nairobi don Dr Nicholas Kut. Mr Atandi has fallen out with many local leaders and major clans, which catapulted him to victory. The MP has been accused of high-handedness and being temperamental. Former Alego Usonga MP Omondi Muluan is also in the race.
In Rarieda, aspirants seem to have taken advantage of an apparent falling out of area MP Otiende Amollo with the ODM party. They say his removal from the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee of the National Assembly was a clear sign of a vote of no confidence. His main opponent, Mr Neto Adhola, who was in 2017 disqualified from vying for the seat, says he will participate in the ODM primaries.
Gem’s incumbent Elisha Odhiambo is facing a major battle pitting him against former area MP Jakoyo Midiwo’s brother Dr Jalang’o Midiwo and Mr Booker Omole. Mr Odhiambo says he is confident of winning the seat due to his development record.
In Ugunja, Mr Wandayi is enjoying support due to various projects initiated during his tenure. Even though he is facing opposition from other aspirants including Otieno Alur, Fredrick Dor and Kennedy Owino, he is expected to easily clinch the ODM ticket.
Ugenya MP David Ochieng’ of the Movement for Democracy and Growth is facing several aspirants who are seeking the ODM ticket.
Mr Ochieng’ is also associated with various development projects, but party politics could make or break him.
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