Former Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo (Photo/ Kenya Today)
Former Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo is facing uncertain political times after losing his seat during the August 8 2017 general election. The shock loss brought to an end Jakoyo's 15- year stay in Parliament.
He was first elected to the National Assembly in 2002, ousting the then MP Joe Donde. Since then, Midiwo who is NASA leader Raila Odinga's cousin has honed his political skills and in the last Parliament, he was the main face of the depleted opposition in the August House where he served as Deputy Minority leader.
But against everyone's expectations, Midiwo bid to defend his seat suffered first setback when he lost in the ODM nominations to his longtime political rival Elisha Odhiambo.
Keen to salvage his political career after that nominations debacle, the politician decamped from ODM and contested as an independent. However, his move was seen as inconsequential as he could not overcome the party dominance in Luo Nyanza region. He lost the seat to Odhiambo. But he has since challenged the win in Court with the ruling expected at the end of February. So far, his fate is at the hands of the Judge.
But even as he awaits the High Court ruling that may prove to be the turning pint in his political career, there are reports that the former lawmaker may be a surprise name in the new President Uhuru Kenyatta Cabinet.
According to the Star, Midiwo is among the big-name poll losers Uhuru is keen to bring to his legacy team. The move is said to be part of the plot to weaken Raila politically. However, the newspaper indicated that the former legislator declined the offer.
Should the Court uphold MP Odhiambo's win, Midiwo will have to stay in the political cold for the next five years where he will try his luck again come 2022. But should he join Jubilee government, he may have taken a political gamble that may as well seal his political fate in a region that is loyal to the former Premier.