Former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has been the latest politician to weigh-in on the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party's loss in the Ugenya by-election.
The party on Friday failed to defend the seat, after its candidate Chris Karan lost to Movement for Democracy and Growth (MDG) party's David Ochieng.
Speaking on NTV's AM Live show on Tuesday, Khalwale blamed the loss on Siaya Senator James Orengo, who was leading the party campaigns.
He accused the senator of paying minimal attention to Karan's bid, claiming that he was instead using the opportunity to campaign for his 2022 gubernatorial ambition.
"James Orengo helped Ochieng to win because his focus was to promote his 2022 ambitions to be governor," said the former Kakamega senatorial hopeful.
He took issue with some of Orengo's utterances during the campaigns, saying that they made Ochieng bigger than he really is, hence the win.
Khalwale bashed Orengo for engaging in petty politics despite being an experienced politician by linking Ochieng to Deputy President William Ruto.
"Orengo, as experienced and aged as he is was telling the voters that a vote for Ochieng is a vote for Ruto and a vote for Karan is a vote for Raila," he added.