With the just-concluded Kibra constituency by-election setting tone for 2022 general election, new political alliances are expected to emerge.
Having performed poorly during the 2017 general election in North Eastern Kenya, ODM leader Raila Odinga should now device new tactics if he is to boost his party's chance to do well in the region come the next poll.
So far, Garissa Township MP Aden Duale has emerged as the region's political kingpin.
Being a key ally of Deputy President William Ruto, the region is firmly behind the DP- at least on paper. But how can Raila spoil the party for Kenya's number two?
Former Speaker of the National Assembly Farah Maalim could be the man Raila should use to neutralize Duale's growing political influence.
Though he dumped the former Prime Minister for Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka in the run to the 2017 poll, Maalim and Raila have been political friends for long.
Bearing in mind that there are no permanent friends and enemies in politics, the possibility of the two working together again cannot be wished away.
As a political heavyweight in his own rights, his 2017 loss to Duale should not be a reason to write him off in politics. And for Raila, the former Lagdera lawmaker remains a big political asset going into 2022.
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