BY JEFF OTIENO

With the promulgation of the new constitution in place politicians from Luo Nyanza are currently busy angling themselves for the lucrative senate seats.

Already Kisumu County seems to be leading the fray if the recent scenario during a church function is anything to go by.

Eng. James Ocholla Ogada who has declared interest for Kisumu county was unanimously crowned by the faithfulls and his bitter arch rival who had earlier declared his candidature Mombasa based oil tycoon Polycap Kamili stunned the audience and threw his support for the Nairobi based Eng. James Ogoda.

For starters Ogoda and Ocholla are natives of Nyakach constituency but both have settled in Muhoroni a move many observers view will catapult Ogoda in terms of numerical advantage if he works overtime.

Kisumu County comprises of Nyando, Nyakach, Muhoroni, Kisumu town West, Kisumu town East and Kisumu rural constituencies.

So far a part from Ogoda, another wealthy Nairobi based Eng. Maxwel Otieno Odongo has declared his candidature and many therefore consider the battle to be a titanic one.

In Homabay County, influential Internal Security Assistant minister Joshua Orwa Ojode is set to battle it out with immediate former Marie – Stopes Country Director Cyprian Otieno Awiti, a move which has not gone down well with their admires who ague that one of them should step down and back the other.

“Both have been close friends doing business and fundraising together and therefore pitting each other is suicidal to people of our region,” argued Kisumu based youthful financial expert Hezbon Omollo who also contested Karachuonyo Parliamentary seat in the last polls.

Already elders and opinion shapers led by the respected Mumias Sugar Managing Director Dr. Evans Odhiambo Kidero have been mandated by pundits to spear head the intriguing bid to impress upon the duo to cede ground to the other, the battle will be close to call in the event that Kidero and CO flops.

While Ojode will rely on his experience and charisma as factors to propel his quest, Awiti will bank on his sterling and unrivalled development track record to triumph.

The entry of Sam Wakiaga could further complicate the matters for either Ojode or Awiti if the rumors currently doing round is anything to go by.

The latter has been a towering figure in Raila’s political circle and to the larger Southern Nyanza for almost a decade.

Wakiaga is in the top echelon of National Social Intelligence Service (N.S.I.S) finance department.

In Migori County, Dalmas Otieno Anyango is set to battle it out with his perennial rival Ochilo Ayako.

Dalmas will peg his experience and the development track record to shepherd his quest, while Ayacko will bank on his usual strategies to bag the seat.

In Siaya County, ministers James Orengo and Finance Assistant Minister Oburu Odinga are being asked by their admirers and handlers to back either of them but the duo are yet to agree according to impeccable sources.

With former powerful cabinet minister now advisor to President Mwai Kibaki Raphael Tuju seems to have thrown the towel, either will easily sail through.

END.