When then Karachuonyo MP James Rege decamped to Jubilee Party in the run to the 2017 general election, many interpreted his move as suicidal.
The veteran politician later opted out of the race to defend his seat, instead, focusing his energy on campaigning for President Uhuru Kenyatta who was facing off with NASA leader Raila Odinga.
Throughout the campaign period, Rege was the face of Jubilee in the Luo Nyanza region.
Following Jubilee's win in the presidential race, many residents expected President Kenyatta to reward the former MP with a top job.
The former Permanent Secretary in the President Mwai Kibaki government, was, however, overlooked in the formation of the new government.
He never made it even to the newly-created Chief Administrative Secretary positions. It was, however, his fellow ODM rebel, former Kisumu Central MP Ken Obura who was preferred in the new appointments.
Since the cabinet secretaries were named and subsequently sworn in, Rege has maintained low political profile and has been rarely seen in public, leaving many guessing what the US-trained engineer is planning.
Will he suffer the same fate as previous ODM rebels? Only time will tell.