So, Funyula MP Paul Otuoma is back in ODM after he went amok claiming the party leadership had frustrated him?
But this is no surprise. A Kenyan politician runs with the hare and hunts with the hounds, today he is the victim, tomorrow he is otherwise. But as long as he benefits from either of the circumstances, other things don't count much.
ODM must have undergone an internal radical surgery perhaps not known to the public for Otuoma to have had such a quick change of heart. But if things are as we know them to be in ODM, Otuoma must have been motivated by other things to return to ODM rather than his cheap lies that their 'grievances have been addressed'.
First, Otuoma may have realised that he may not be able to defend his Funyula parliamentary seat through another party than ODM. Motivated by this fear, he may have found it wise to mend fences with the party he has been bad-mouthing about before it is too late.
Otuoma's unexpected move may also have been prompted by the thought of losing in the nominations of the party he intended to join. We all know how party hoppers will have a hard time in 2017. So, in his mind, Otuoma may have told himself, 'better the devil you know...' before deciding it was time to go back to ODM.
Another thing is that Otuoma may not have been 'bought' by ODM competitors at the price he may have intended to be bought at in order to sell his loyalty. Auctioning of politicians is now rife as we edge closer to 2017 General elections. Perhaps Otuoma having had been a senior ODM figure, might have expected that his price tag would be high. Now that nothing is forthcoming, why not go back to ODM and claim that 'our' grievances have been met?
Finally, ODM might have promised him big things including getting a direct nomination for his Funyula seat to buy back his loyalty. His immediate reinstatement as ODM Vice-Chairman even after betraying the party may just be a sign of good things to come.