To some, the rise of the of Bondo MP Gideon Ochanda is a matter of chance considering the circumstances that surrounded his ascension to occupy the seat that was once held by former opposition icon Jaramogi Oginga Odinga. But the lawmaker has proved that he is his own man
Dr Ochanda succeeded Jaramogi's scion Dr. Oburu Oginga in 2013. By then, the young Jaramogi who had held the seat since his father's death in 1994 had declared his interest to vie for the gubernatorial seat. But after the drama that followed ODM nominations, he was barred from contesting by the party alongside his rival William Oduol.
But for Dr Ochanda, he had established himself as the new King of Bondo as he was easily elected. Coincidentally, after his nomination, Dr. Oburu and his successor would later go on to meet in Parliament.
But in the run to the 2017 election, Dr Oburu who is NASA leader Raila Odinga's elder brother expressed his interest to retake Bondo MP seat. His declaration sent shockwaves across the region. But with his newfound political clout, Ochanda was equal to task. He trounced the veteran politician in the ODM nominations before going to win his seat in the August poll to cement his grip on Bondo politics.
With Dr Oburu now at the twilight of his political career, is Dr. Ochanda poised to dominate Siaya and possibly Luo Nyanza politics for many years to come?