For the past five months, Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang'i has gained considerable support from among Kisii and Nyamira residents.
Although he's yet to make his intentions clear, Dr Matiang'i could be preparing to venture into politics, with enhanced roles being perhaps part of his plan.
Even lawyer Steve Mogaka believes that it would be difficult to campaign against the minister in coming months especially from his Gusii backyard.
"It will be risky to campaign against him. He is steadily gaining influence which will make it difficult for his opponents. He could be defacto spokesman," he said.
Although Matiang'i is a proponent of the Handshake, he's yet to meet Raila Odinga's team from Gusii, with ODM treasurer Timothy Bosire being among them.
While Bosire narrowly lost his seat, he's still among popular politicians from the two regions. He also enjoys support from ODM leader Raila Odinga.
For years now, Bosire has been at loggerheads with Dr Matiang'i, accusing him of plotting his exit from politics allegedly through rigging.
"He admitted that he played part in rigging me. He went on to celebrate. His crafty ways of doing things will not last for long," Bosire had warned him.
Even though Bosire has loosened his hard stand on President Uhuru Kenyatta, he still seems to be having issues with Dr Matiang'i given that the two are yet to share platform.
Worse still, Dr Matiang'i is said to be supporting Borabu MP Ben Momanyi as Governor John Nyagarama's replacement. Bosire is also interested in the race.
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