The race to replace Budalang'i MP Ababu Namwamba has began.
Ababu, who recently ditched ODM and joined the relaunched Labour Party of Kenya is yet to prove he will successfully defend his seat in the 2017 general election.
ODM, the party he served as secretary general has lined up ten candidates who will battle it out during the ODM party primary elections to select one contestant who will take on the fire spitting Ababu in 2017.
Although the list of the candidates has not yet been publicised, this writer is reliably informed that Busia County Finance CeC Leonard Obimbira is among those expected to plunge into the political waters in a bid to unseat Ababu.
About two months ago, a high profile meeting was held in Budalang'i and in attendance were county top politicians out to ensure Ababu, who they claim has betrayed ODM does not return to Parliament.
The agenda of the meeting orbited around choosing a strong candidate and then rally support behind the individual to ensure an ODM victory during the elections.
Ababu is currently the LPK party leader and has been traversing the country marketing his new party.
During LPK's relaunch in Karen, Nairobi, he claimed he intended to use the political outfit to unite the Luhya community ahead of 2017.
He has so far visited the counties of Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Kisii, Bungoma, Busia and Uasin Gishu popularizing what he refers to as the 'Third Force'.
Busia being an ODM zone however, the second time lawmaker may find it hard to sail back to Parliament next year.
The only friend he had by the time he quit ODM- Funyula MP Paul Otuoma- has since abandoned him- leaving the firebrand politician playing lone ranger politics.
He has been busy initiating development projects in the constituency.
But whether these efforts will translate to votes, only time will tale as the clock ticks towards August 2017.