Two sons out for late father's Senate seat
What you need to know:
- On Friday, Mr Willis Oluoch Okello and Mr Mark Okundi separately submitted their papers to the Orange Democratic Movement Party.
Family member further revealed that they had settled on Mr Willis Oluoch for the seat, but Mr Okundi had maintained that he is in the race.
This move has set the stage for a political sibling rivalry with reports that efforts to have one of the two to shelve his ambitions and support the other have failed.
The race for the Migori senatorial seat has taken a new twist after two sons of the late senator, Ben Oluoch Okello, both declared their candidature for the post.
On Friday, Mr Willis Oluoch Okello and Mr Mark Okundi, who has been the family's spokesperson in the wake of the late senator's death, separately submitted their papers to the Orange Democratic Movement Party, seeking the party's ticket for the position. This move has set the stage for a political sibling rivalry with reports that efforts to have one of the two to shelve his ambitions and support the other have failed.
Family member further revealed that they had settled on Mr Willis Oluoch for the seat, but Mr Okundi had maintained that he is in the race. "We had agreed that Mr Willis Oluoch but Mr Okundi was not pleased as he was expecting to be endorsed. He chose to stick to his guns."
'TRAITOR'
Speaking to 'Nation' on Saturday, Mr Oluoch confirmed that he had been blessed by the family to run for the post and referred to his brother as a 'traitor' being used by other politicians keen to divide the family and deny the family the seat.
He said that he is in the race all the way to the ballot and will not step down for his brother.
The seat fell vacant following the death of Mr Ben Oluoch Okello, who succumbed to throat cancer last month.
Last week, Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commison announced that the by-election for the seat is slated for October 8.
DIRECT TICKET
The seat has already attracted scores of candidates who are eyeing Orange Democratic Movement Party ticket.
ODM enjoys a huge following in the region and it is expected that anyone who bags the ticket will have an easy ride to victory.
The party has hinted at giving a direct ticket to a preferred candidate. In a statement released on Monday, Dr Robert Arunga, the Orange party's National Elections Board chairperson, said the mode of nomination will be decided by the party at a later date.
Reliable party sources have revealed that the party is keen to give a direct ticket to Mr Ochillo as a dividend of the political truce between him and governor Obado.
BURY HATCHET
On Wednesday, Mr Ochillo withdrew a petition challenging Mr Obado's electoral victory at the court of appeal. Mr Ochillo had filed an appeal after the high court in Migori upheld Mr Obado's win. Mr Ochillo said he withdrew the appeal out of respect for Mr Odinga. "I decided to do this out of respect for Mr Odinga, who had appealed to us to bury our political hatchet," said Mr Ayacko, who handed his papers to ODM party on Thursday.
Mr Ochillo had earlier turned down president Kenyatta's ambassadorial nomination ostensibly to concentrate on senatorial race.
TOP CONTENDER
Others eyeing the Orange party ticket include former speaker Gordon Oluoch, Kenya Union of Post Primary Teachers Migori secretary Samwel Orwa Jasolo, businessman Eddy Oketch, former Suna East MP John Dache Pessa, Solomon Hodo, Matiko Bohoko from Kuria region and high school teacher Kennedy Makasembo.
Former Rongo MP Dalmas Otieno also pulled a surprise when he presented his papers to ODM, indicating his intention to be on the ballot. Mr Otieno's entry into the race is likely to complicate matters for Mr Ochillo, who is widely seen as a top contender for the post.
