A new political party with a base at Nyanza region has been successfully registered and could rival the dominant Orange Democratic Movement party.
Former Ndhiwa MP Agostino Neto has finalised the registration and has already been issued a certificate for United Green Movement party.
Mr Neto, a close ally of Mr Raila Odinga, lost in ODM primaries in 2017 and subsequent polls to Martin Owino, the current MP in the South Nyanza constituency.
The former MP complained about the outcome and has lately been associated with a link to DP William Ruto. He has often denied the claims.
ODM party is facing a rebellion in her Nyanza bedrock. Early this year, David Ochieng' of MDG beat Chris Karan of ODM in Ugenya, results which however, did not seem to bother Mr Odinga.
“The elections in Embakasi South and Ugenya have proved that indeed the Honourable Raila’s word is the most serious one within ODM and among our supporters,” said Junet Mohamed, who is also the Minority Whip in the National Assembly.
Mr Odinga said the by-elections were closely contested adding that he had no problem with Mr David Ochieng'. He insisted that the party is very strong.
“I’m not all bothered that the party lost in the two by-elections because from the onset, they were closely fought and could have gone any way. I wonder why people read too much in that. In Embakasi South, Irshad Sumra lost and congratulated the winner, Julius Mawathe. In Ugenya, it was also a close battle,” Mr Odinga said.