Intelligence reports that Migori Governor Okoth Obado and Deputy President William Ruto are secretly funding Eddie Oketch for Migori senatorial by-election caused jitters in ODM party, it has been established.
Even from his Industrial Area prison, a source says, Mr. Obado has been running the show in Migori where he's keen to challenge Raila's influence albeit from within ODM.
"Mr. Obado and the DP William Ruto have been financing Oketch including donating campaign caravan.
"We established this and we had to change the tact. Initially, Raila was to campaign for a single day but we had to make it two for the purpose of thwarting their momentum," said an insider.
A scared ODM brigade had to immediately incorporate Raila for two days with Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and a host of senators led by James Orengo.
It is also said that Raila had to personally instruct ODM MPs to spearhead the campaigns when it emerged that Mr. Obado's county team and a section of MCAs were conducting campaigns for Mr. Oketch.
But ODM Director of Elections Junet Mohammed has dismissed claims that Raila panicked making him to campaign twice.
"Obado does not have supporters of his own. He rushed to ODM because he knew things would have been thick. He can't just scare Raila. We only thought it wise to have the party leader in Migori," he said.
The Federal Party team, which is reportedly being financed by Obado, has camped in Kuria East, Kuria West and Rongo where it's hoping to beat ODM.