NASA leader Raila Odinga at a past event. [Photo/ nation.co.ke]
ODM leader Raila Odinga is the de facto political leader in Luo Nyanza. Any attempt to undermine him politically usually backfires. Majority of those who vied against his party have lost their seats and have failed to recover. However, a few managed to survive the giant party's wave.Migori Governor Okoth Obado made history when he was elected outside ODM party in the entire Luo Nyanza in 2013. While making his political debut and vying on little-known PDP, Obado, a smart political survivor, overcame the treachery to humble the ODM candidate.Kisumu Town West MP Olago Aluoch risked losing his seat in 2013 when he controversially lost during ODM nominations. He swiftly decamped to Ford Kenya where he easily defended his seat against many people's expectations. He did it again in 2017.After losing in the ODM nominations in the run to the 2017 elections, Kisumu East MP Shakeel Shabbir whose name had become synonymous with Kisumu politics was at risk of losing his seat.With the party hopping window closed, he vied as an independent and defeated ODM nominee in the August 8 poll. The veteran politician who is of the Indian ancestry has been an MP since 2003.In the neighbouring Muhoroni constituency, former MP Ayiecho Olweny was given a run for his money when a debutante, Onyango K'Oyoo sent him home despite vying on a very small party ticket.In Raila Odinga's home county of Siaya, George Omondi pulled a surprise when he clinched the newly-created Alego Usonga MP seat in 2013.He had decamped from ODM after losing in the nominations.Veteran politician Dalmas Otieno survived the 2007 wave when he won the seat on a KANU ticket. He defeated then ODM candidate Ochillo Ayacko. However, Otieno was dealt a blow in 2017 when he vied as an independent.Is there a newsworthy accident, incident or event happening in Kisumu County that you want Hivisasa to cover? Tell us what is happening by joining this group and have it published. http://bit.ly/2EOgy6Q