Ugenya MP David Ochieng' has lauded ODM leader Raila Odinga, insisting that his democratic ideals helped him to recapture the seat he had lost to Chris Karan.
Last month, Mr Odinga toured the constituency and announced that he would not campaign for the ODM candidate, citing busy AU schedule. He however asked locals not to embarrass him.
"I will not be campaigning in Ugenya. I am busy elsewhere with my new roles as AU envoy. However, kindly do not embarass me in the elections," said Odinga, perhaps in a move that gave all candidates a level playing ground.
Siaya Senator James Orengo took over the campaigns. A section of politicians have linked the loss to him, with Gem MP Gideon Ochanda claiming that ODM loss as a protest to Orengo's early campaigns for gubernatorial seat.
But Mr Ochieng' believes that Raila as a democrat, decided to keep off the campaigns to allow candidates be subjected to electorates without his indomitable influence.
“I have no issue with Raila. In fact, we kept talking even when I was in court. There is no bad blood between him and myself. I respect him. I support the handshake, which is the best thing to ever happen to this country,” he said in an interview on Monday.
“My relationship with Raila is okay as it is. If it were not for his democratic ideals, I would not have been elected on MDG.”
At a press conference on Monday in Nairobi, Mr Odinga dismissed claims that the Ugenya loss was an indication of fading influence of the ODM party. Instead, Odinga said that the contest was internal.
It was not the first time ODM was losing a seat in Nyanza. During 2017 polls, Kisumu Town East MP Shakir Shabir won on an independent ticket. Olago Aluoch of Kisumu Town West won on Ford Kenya in 2013.