Even as Ochillo Ayacko receives certifticate as apparent winner for Migori senatorial by-election, the Orange Democratic Movement party may go back to the drawing board over the results.
The former minister, who was handpicked by the ODM party, scooped 85,300 of votes to his closest challenger, Eddie Oketch of the Federal Party of Kenya who garnered 60, 222 votes.
So close was the contest despite the 27-year-old running against a former minister and a battalion of MPs in a contest that featured Kenya's most accomplished politician Raila Odinga.
Interestingly, feeling threatened, a source disclosed, Raila had to personally pitch tent in a region that has traditionally voted the party's preferred candidate.
"He had to come in person and save the situation. We never knew the boy was such a big threat.
"Camping for two days my have changed the multitude in Ayacko's favour," an insider said.
For the better part of Thursday and Friday, Raila traversed the vast county to salvage a probable ODM sinking boat.
While Ayacko was bouyed by Raila's presence and subsequent ODM popularity, Mr. Oketch depended on youthful volunteers besides having the backing of estranged area governor Okoth Obado who is in police custody.
According to EddyforMigori.com, the youthful politician, who had initially wished to run on ODM, studied at lucrative Friends School Kamusinga before joining African Leadership Academy in South Africa.
Upon completion, he moved to Ivy League's Yale University before coming back home to run community projects and business.
His performance in Migori may be a wake up call after all given that with the little known party, despite putting spirited campaigns in other constituencies, he won at Uriri.
Journalist Nyambega Gisesa says Raila's approach to democracy must change for him to survive.
"The results shows that his dominance and decisions can be challenged. It's now time for him to allow democracy to thrive in ODM," he said.
Earlier, there were also rumours on social media that Mr. Oketch was being financed by DP William Ruto, a claim that cannot be substantiated independently.