Alego Usonga parliamentary race is heating up after Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga declared interest.
The race is likely to be a repeat of the 2013 political rivalry between Rasanga and William Oduol.
The Alego Usonga seat has so far attracted five aspirants.
Rasanga’s tenure as the governor will be coming to an end in 2022. He has intimated to his allies that he will not be retiring from politics.
The move has received rejection and acceptance in equal measure where those allied to Rasanga think it’s the best move while those against his ambition say it is a political slip-up.
Those that have shown interest include Oduol who was a governor aspirant in 2013.
Oduol who was dissatisfied with the 2013 gubernatorial elections results contested Rasanga’s victory in court leading to a nullification before Rasanga trounced him again in a by-election.
Other aspirants include former Alego Usonga MP Omondi Muluan, former Public Service Board member Kut Ochogo, and the incumbent, Samuel Atandi.
Coming from the largest clan in Alego Usonga, Ochogo is clinging on the clan factor to tip the scales in his favour. He is also counting on the support of business tycoons in the area.
Muluan is riding on his previous development track record that left a mark in the constituency where he was elected on a Wiper ticket after beating all odds to defeat an ODM candidate.
Oduol will be using his 2013 grassroots connections in the constituency when he was vying as the governor.
But according to Kisumu-based political analyst Chris Owala, the race will be pegged on a development track record, unlike round table politics that is being mooted in Alego Usonga.
Owala said Nyanza has been the casualty of round table politics and that is why the region is not lagging in development compared to other regions.
Owalo, at the same time, urged aspirants to avoid clanism as that will not convince the well-informed voter.
