Nullification of Homa Bay governor Cyprian Awiti's victory would bother Raila more than the victim himself, observes historian Nyachaeo Bogonko.
Justice Joseph Karanja ordered a by election after finding massive 'illegalities and irregularities' in the evidence presented before him.
"I hereby order fresh elections in line with the law. IEBC failed to adhere to rules and regulstions," he said.
The petitioner, Oyugi Magwanga, ran as an Independent after losing to Awiti in chaotic ODM nominations and subsequently lost narrowly to Awiti with a slim margin of 20, 000 votes.
But according to Bogonko, the Rail would face hard times in campaigning for Awiti should the latter lose in an appeal if any.
"Raila will be battling to stamp authority in a region that is widely divided. Both candidates are his close lieutenants.
"Should he directly campaign for any, his credibility will be put to test and if I were his adviser, I'll challenge him to avoid the region," he says.
Last year, supporters of the two clashed in Raila's presence with some threatening to vote for Uhuru citing Raila's 'interference' in local matters.