When he made a huge plunge to join politics in the run to the 2013 elections, little did he know that he was joining the murky world where only the brave survive. And 5 years later, former Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma is in a fight to save his political career. But will he?
As a political novice, little was known about Ranguma, a former Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) official. But he was ready to pull a surprise and run away with the ODM ticket.
At that time, former powerful Permanent Secretary who had made his name in the public service, David Nalo, was said to be ODM's preferred candidate for Kisumu Governor. However, his death in 2012 made the party rethink their plan.
Ranguma faced off with Ruth Odinga in the ODM nominations and floored her. And the seat was his to lose. His decision to rope in Ms. Odinga as his running mate inched him closer to the dream job. And came the March 4 election, the political novice was making his own history. The mission which looked impossible had been turned to success. But worse was to follow.
His fallout with his deputy complicated his re-election plans. The entry of Senator Anyang' Nyong'o, the county's most polished politician, put his political career on the line.
As many had predicted, he lost to Prof. Nyong'o in the ODM nominations before losing in the subsequent August 8 poll. He rushed to court seeking the nullification of his nemesis' win but his petition was dismissed.
On Thursdsy, came another blow; the Court of Appeal upheld the High Court ruling that Prof. Nyong'o was validly elected.
So what next for Ranguma considering he is almost exhausting all legal avenues? Will he bring his political career back in track?