After losing in the race for the ODM party ticket to vie for Migori Senator to his longtime rival Ochillo Ayacko, former Rongo MP Dalmas Otieno has now vowed to contest as an independent candidate.
In what has seen the emergence of fractures within the Orange party in the county, a section of politicians have questioned the party’s decision to hand the nomination certificate to Ayacko after a boardroom deal.
But not ready to go down easily, Otieno, a veteran in the region’s politics has vowed to contest against the ODM nominee as an independent candidate.
The former Minister’s entry into the race will throw the spanner in the works for the Orange that is keen to recapture the seat that fell vacant following the death of Senator Ben Oluoch Okello.
" I totally disagree with the party. I am still in the race and will run as an independent candidate," said Otieno as quoted by the Nation.
Being a man of a firm political stature, the race could be far from over. For Ayacko, his decision to turn down President Uhuru Kenyatta’s appointment may come to haunt him.
With Governor Okoth Obado rejecting the nomination of Ayacko, the battle for Migori will no doubt get a new dimension. For now, the contest is too close to call.