With Migori County residents expected to go to the polls on October 8 to elect their new Senator to replace Ben Oluoch Okello who passed on last month, ODM party is facing an acid test to avoid fractures that may arise in picking the candidate that will fly the party flag.
On Wednesday, the Standard reported that the Raila Odinga-led party would not be conducting the nominations and instead, it's National Elections Board will sit down and handpick the party's nominee- a mode that will no doubt cause jitters within the party ranks.
With political heavyweights expected to face off in that poll, the party's decision to handpick a candidate will receive cold reception and may end up threatening party unity in the region.
Just like in Homa Bay County in 2015, the party's decision to pick Moses Kajwang rattled other aspirants who accused the party of being undemocratic.
And as a result, the county became the epicentre of ODM rebellion before the party finally closed ranks with the rebels.
So, can Raila afford to repeat the same mistake especially in a county like Migori where all the potential contestants have a huge following? Well, it is a gamble which may backfire.