At the peak of his political career, Shem Ochuodho was a formidable force in Nyanza. But now, the former Rangwe MP is struggling for political relevance in the region having been in the cold for over 15 years now.
Dr. Ochuodho announced his arrival into the country's political scene in the mid 1990s when he teamed up with like-minded politicians from the region to counter KANU's influence using Raila Odinga's NDP as their political vehicle.
In the 1997 election, the NDP tsunami hit Nyanza, sweeping KANU-leaning politicians. He clinched the Rangwe MP seat while the party's Secretary General Peter Odoyo won the Nyakach parliamentary position. Two future political bigwigs had been ushered into the world of politics.
However, the optimism that greeted the arrival of the duo into the country's political scene evaporated almost immediately. Dr. Ochuodho became a marked man within the party as he allegedly became ' independent-minded' and many interpreted it as a sign of rebellion.
He lost his seat in 2002 to Philip Okundi and from there he has never recovered.
In 2002 he lost during the Narc nominations. He tried his luck in 2007 but lost in nominations, this time round in ODM, a revolutionary party led by Odinga.
Following the consequtive loses, he decided to chart his own political path. In 2013, he was presidential running mate to Paul Muite but the pair lost.
Dr Ochuodho threw himself into the ring again in 2017, vying for Homa Bay senatorial seat but the IEBC failed to clear him.
For now, the IT guru is a 'dead man' walking in Nyanza.