A meeting held earlier today with elders from South Nyanza and subsequent burial of Mzee Aketch Chieng' kept Raila Odinga away from the funeral of Rongo University student Sharon Otieno.
So publicised in the Kenyan media that her burial was expected to attract top politicians from the region thus Raila's expectations to attend.
Instead, local politicians among them Senator Otieno Kajwang, MPs Millie Odhiambo, Gladys Wanga, Paul Abuor and Opondo Kaluma, only passed by briefly before joining Raila at Chieng's home few kilometres away.
In his speech, Raila said: "It is said that I have continued to lose friends from this region. Few weeks ago I attended Prof. Puma Muga's funeral. It's sad that Aketch had to follow him."
"I was also supposed to attend funeral for the Rongo University student (Sharon) but due to meeting with elders, I could not make it," said Raila, as he asked mouners to observe silence for the two.
Mr. Odinga has been facing rebellion at South Nyanza, evident through the recently concluded Migori senatorial by-election where ODM candidate Ochillo Ayacko narrowly beat little known Eddy Oketch.
Also at Homa Bay, his ODM party is facing resistance after a win by former Kasipul Kabondo MP Oyugi Magwanga over election of Govenor Cyprian Awiti in both High Court and Appeals Court.
Raila, who is set to join President Uhuru Kenyatta in Kakamega for Mashujaa Day on Saturday, was accompanied by COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli, MPs Paul Abuor (Rongo), T.J Kajwang (Ruaraka), Millie Odhiambo (Suba North).
Others were Opondo Kaluma (Homa Bay Township), Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay) and Lilian Gogo of Rangwe along with area senator Moses Kajwang.
Raila said: "We must use devolution properly for our region to succeed in development. MCAs should stop these sideshows and focus on real issues."
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