For some time now, Migori governor Zachary Okoth Obado has not been reading on the same script with opposition chief Raila Odinga after their fallout prior to the 2017 elections.
After claiming Raila was playing a dictator in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), Obado ditched the party for a little known People's Democratic Party (PDP). This, alone, created political rivalry between the duo in the expansive Luo Nyanza.
However, the year 2019 has come with a fresh headache for Raila Odinga who is struggling to maintain political supremacy in the region.
This follows the latest court ruling that granted back Obado's unlimited access to the region following the murder of former university student Sharon Otieno.
Given the fact that Obado has publicly supported Deputy President William Ruto, who also doubles as Raila's biggest critic, it is obvious that Raila is not a happy man in 2019.
With this unrestricted movement, DP Ruto might seize the opportunity to use the flamboyant governor to sell his political ideologies in readiness for 2022.
With this in mind, Raila should explore new ways to counter Obado's influence in the region. In doing this, he will have also recorded a milestone in curbing DP Ruto's influence in his alleged political backyard.