African Union High Representative for Infrastructural Development Raila Odinga on Wednesday hosted a number of MPs from Western Kenya at his Capitol Hill offices.
For months now, Deputy President William Ruto has traversed the region, managing to get endorsement from a number of MPs from the region.
A fortnight ago, Dr Ruto was in Vihiga County where he toured Luanda, Hamisi and Emuhaya. Previously, he has visited Kakamega, Bungoma and Busia.
Mr Odinga, who has enjoyed massive support from the region since 2007, held talks with ODM MPs from Busia County, where politics is said to have been the major discussion.
"H.E Raila Odinga in a meeting with ODM Members of Parliament from Busia County at Capitol Hill among them is Budalangi MP Raphael Wanjala, Butula MP Joseph H. Oyula, Matayos MP Geoffrey Odanga," an aide wrote.
Dr Ruto has zoned Western Kenya as a swing region and is capitalising on regular trips to topple Mr Odinga as the kingpin in Luhyaland.
Currently, he's working closely with Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka, former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale and Majority Whip Benjamin Washiali as his main agents.
“Depending on how we mapped out the country, we have distinctive teams charged with areas of focus. The aim is to realise targeted messaging and to cover as much ground as possible in our development tours,” former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, now a key Ruto ally from Western, said.
Although Raila enjoys support of Governors Wilberforce Otchillo, Wycliffe Oparanya and Sospeter Ojaamong, the three have not been vocal on national politics lately.
Mr Odinga's last trip to Western was in August when he attended the funeral of former footballer Joe Kadenge. Since then, Ruto has toured the region over five times.