On Tuesday, Homa Bay Governor Cyprian Awiti handed over his powers to his deputy Hamilton Orata, as he seeks to have enough time to battle his eye ailment in Germany.
Even though this is just a normal transition to many, it means the world to Deputy Governor Hamilton Orata, as it could easily make him the next governor after the 2022 general polls.
Orata now has an opportunity to demonstrate his leadership capabilities and how he would run the county if elected in 2022, a chance that if well used, might hand him a win.
Unlike formerly where he was technically Awiti's right-hand man, he is now free to make decisions on behalf of the people, and good choices would make him the most preferred, judging by the changes and benefits they bring.
It is now his time to make connections and link up with people who might influence his win, now that he appears closer to the top seat.
He is in a better position to attract the deep state and people willing to fund his campaigns and should have completed the job by the time the Governor returns.
This will make him better placed to win both the primaries and main elections as compared to other candidates who will have to dig into their pockets, especially at the nomination level.
Finally, Orata is now enjoying the power of incumbency, in a region which is known to side with the incumbents during elections.
This is with the consideration that only one of the four Nyanza governors was defeated in the 2017 polls, a trend that if repeats itself in 2022, Orata and fellow deputy county bosses of Siaya and Migori might be the next Governors.
Therefore, the power delegation was what he needed, and is his way to the top seat.