Karachuonyo MP James Rege has declared he does not need the ODM party to defend his seat as he is still popular back in the constituency.
The lawmaker who recently decamped to Jubilee Party has told his opponents to brace for a bruising battle in the race for the constituency's seat in the 2017 elections.
Rege who is among the six rebel ODM rebel MPs who were on Tuesday removed by ODM from Parliamentary Committees was warmly received on Monday in his constituency when he went to present CDF cheques contrary to fears that he would be roughed up for his disloyalty to the Orange party.
Addressing the residents, Rege boasted that he is still a popular figure in the area and that his re-election will be a walkover.
According to Rege, he is ready to use Jubilee Party to defend his seat or he can alternatively join the race for Homa Bay County gubernatorial race during next year's general election.
Rege's fallout with the Raila Odinga-led ODM started when he openly supported another candidate during the 2015 Homa Bay County Senatorial by-election.
Since then, the relationship has been frosty as he was involved in many Jubilee Party activities.