For all his drama, controversies and combative style of politics, Kisumu Senator Fred Outa can now claim that he is a senior politician in the county and probably the entire Nyanza region.
Though he still plays under the shadows of Governor Anyang Nyong'o in Kisumu politics, the former Nyando MP has fought his way to the county's top political table and has emerged as NASA leader Raila Odinga's dependable political lieutenants.
Though Prof. Nyong'o still has Raila's ear owing to their long political history, Outa, a late entrant into politics, cannot be wished away. And his main asset is his mobilization skills and age.
At 53 years, the "future Kisumu Governor" still has a lot of energy to criss-cross the vast county selling Raila's agenda as opposed to the Prof. who is now in his 70s.
For a man who doesn't shy away from speaking his mind, the firebrand Outa has been at the forefront spreading the handshake gospel. At one point, he has irked Jubilee politicians with some of his statements. And just recently, he declared that in the spirit of the handshake, the former Prime Minister should be accommodated in the government.
Even as he fights his own political battles as he bids to succeed Prof. Nyong'o in 2022, Senator Outa remains a true Raila 'general' in Nyanza politics.