Former Karachuonyo MP James Rege(Photo/ Standard)
As lobbying for the prestigious Cabinet Secretary positions by the politicians who lost in the August 8 poll hits top gear, veteran Nyanza politician could be a relaxed man as he is most likely going to land the position.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has retained six members of his former Cabinet besides bringing in three new faces. Constitutionally, he is left with 13 slots to fill.
But even amid the behind-the-scene maneuvers for the slots by political actors, former Karachuonyo MP James Rege could make the cut nonetheless.
The former MP took a political sacrifice. First, as his relationship with his sponsor party ODM became damaged beyond repair, he quit the party that introduced him into politics. The veteran politician had accused the Raila Odinga-led party of allegedly planning to deny him the party ticket.
In the run to the August 8 poll, Rege joined Jubilee, a move that was seen by many as politically suicidal considering ODM's dominance in the region. And from there, his political fate was as good as sealed.
Rege was to face off with the ODM candidate for the seat. But in April, he took another political step- withdrawing from the race. Instead, he declared that he would spend his time campaigning for Uhuru.
He became the most visible Jubilee politician on the ground in the hostile political environment. And though the President performed dismally in the region, his decision to sacrifice his own political ambitions for another politician will not go unnoticed.
He may be out but not down. After all, the veteran politician may be rewarded for his 'brevity'.