In what can be likened to the proverbial nine lives of the cat, former Kasipul MP Oyugi Magwanga's political career on Thursday took a new twist when the Court of Appeal upheld the High Court ruling nullifying the election of Homa Bay Governor Cyprian Awiti.
For a low-profile guy like Magwanga, his never-say-die-attitude is proving that he is the next biggest political figure in the region that is always known for its bitter political battles.
With the Raila Odinga-led ODM party taken back to the drawing board planning how to win back the seat in case of by-election, the former lawmaker who vied as an independent candidate is proving to be a political tsunami that may be hard to contain.
In a span of less than six months, the former MP has won two petitions against the ODM governor leaving the party in a tense situation, worrying whether it would retain the seat.
Magwanga who represented Kasipul constituency for ten good years as an MP is liked by many for being a development-oriented leader. And riding on that, the seat will be his to lose in case of a fresh election.
Secondly, Awiti's own unpopularity in the county amid graft allegations that have dogged his administration may further give him an edge.
Will Raila, the region's political kingpin, be the man to stop the 52-year old Strathmore University-trained Accountant from assuming the top county job? Or will he defy all the odds and beat Raila in the region he has reigned supreme for decades? Well, the battle has just begun.
#hivisasaoriginal