A few years ago, Dr Fred Matiang'i's name among ODM supporters and politicians was the most perhaps loathed due to his approach in handling the opposition prior to 2017 polls.

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During that time, Dr Matiang'i was respected among Jubilee leaders with most MP allied to the faction from Kisii and Nyamira often hosting him.

But the Handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga has completely changed tables, with Matiang'i now commanding most ODM allied politicians.

In the recent weeks, Dr Matiang'i has managed to woo several ODM politicians to his camp ahead of 2022, a move that has however caused internal cracks within the Orange party.

Senators Okong'o Mogeni, Sam Ongeri, Governors James Ongwae and John Nyagarama are among top ODM leaders backing Matiang'i for a national political seat.

"As a community, we have reached a point where we can have someone taking over as president from this region. We are happy with our minister," Nyagarama said recently.

The pressure from ODM leaders forced party leader Raila Odinga to recently weigh into Matiang'i's quest, showing some signs of also liking the minister's performance.

"Matiang'i is like my son. You don't have to tell me what he wants. Let's relax. We shall do the right thing when that time comes. Let him work," he said.

Also, Dagoretti North MP Simba Arati recently joined forces with Matiang'i, asking Mr Odinga to consider him for the national seat in future.

But his raid on ODM camp hasn't fully yielded fruits. A section of party conservatives believe that he's an outsider and those supporting him should be expelled.

Recently, Kisii chairman Samuel Omwando and his Nyamira counterpart Richard Kaka faulted senior ODM leaders supporting Matiang'i.

"He is not in ODM and as a party, we have rules. You can't just start supporting someone just because he comes from your region. We shall discuss this matter," he said.

ODM treasurer Timothy Bosire is also pulling strings against Dr Fred Matiang'i. The two have been at loggerheads for several years now over Jubilee-ODM politics.

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