With fears that ODM leader Raila Odinga was headed for a humiliation during the Migori senatorial by-election which is scheduled for October, his political lieutenants were ready to fight for him amid pockets of rebellion within the party.
The nomination of former Rongo MP Ochillo Ayacko to fly the party flag became the point of departure as rivals openly vowed to vie as independent candidates.
To further compound Raila’s troubles, area Governor Okoth Obado openly vowed to campaign against Ayacko even as he accused the party of being undemocratic.But in a sudden twist, Raila can now afford a smile. The men who were giving him sleepless nights have surrendered. It is a sweet victory for the former Prime Minister even before the actual election.
On Wednesday, former Nyatike MP Edick Anyanga and his Suna East counterpart John Pesa threw in the towel and vowed to support Ayacko.
Further, the Standard reports that former Minister Dalmas Otieno who had decamped to another party, is also about to follow suit.
For Ayacko, the journey to the senate that appeared doubtful a couple of days ago had taken a new route and the road to political redemption after 10 years in the cold is on course.
And for Raila who can arm-twist even political geniuses, the sudden political changes in Migori have confirmed that he remains the King of Nyanza and anybody who dares go against him will be crushed.