Though both mean well for opposition leader Raila Odinga and his political endeavors, former Bondo lawmaker and Raila’s elder brother Oburu Odinga, and ex-Gem parliamentarian Jakoyo Midiwo remain bitter political enemies.
The enmity between the two cousins first surfaced ahead of the 2013 general elections, after Midiwo publicly endorsed William Oduol for the Siaya gubernatorial seat, against Oburu who was also eyeing the post.
In retaliation, Oburu supported Governor Cornel Rasanga for a second term in the concluded August 8 poll against Midiwo’s choice of former Rarieda lawmaker Nicholas Gumbo, while he sought to recapture his Bondo parliamentary seat.
His wish was realized after Rasanga beat Gumbo while Jakoyo lost his seat to Elisha Odhiambo of the Orange Democratic Movement(ODM) after decamping from the party, lamenting over unfair primaries.
Oburu lost his seat to Gideon Ochanda for the second time in a row.
This marked the start of the rivalry, which the older Oburu has since managed to always evade discussing in public, terming Jakoyo a young man whom he cannot engage in a spat.
‘’Jakoyo is like my son. He grew up in my house,’’ Oburu who would later be elected into the Arusha-based East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) said as quoted by the Standard newspaper.
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