All eyes are on Suna West constituency as the August 9 general election draws closer.
In the 2017 polls, Peter Masara won the seat on an independent ticket after defeating Joseph Ndiege of ODM with a slight margin.
Pundits say Suna West has been a do-or-die for the Orange party.
“Out of 16 constituencies in Homa Bay and Migori counties, it’s only Suna West where the party decided to have voting to pick a candidate while others were issued with direct nominations,” Nick Oluoch, a communication consultant and political pundit, said.
Oluoch said like in 2017, the Suna West MP race has been divided between Masara and Ndiege, with a small margin between the two in the primaries and opinion polls.
In the ODM primaries, Masara received 8,799 votes compared to Ndiege's 8,671 votes. Ndiege will vie as an independent.
On June 20, Mizani Africa released a poll which showed Ndiege was likely to garner 52.9 per cent of the votes while Masara would bag 45.1 per cent of votes, with 2 per cents of voters undecided.
Both Masara and Ndiege have concentrated on door-to-door campaigns, community town hall meetings and working to gather as many defectors from each other.
On Sunday, the two rivals held several meetings in Wiga, Wasimbete and Wasweta 2 wards where they received defectors from both sides.
“I believe starting 17 primary and secondary schools in Suna West, building administrative offices for chiefs and their assistants and openness in using bursary will be what voters will decide on,” Masara said.
“In Suna West we are above clan and tribe politics, residents were not blind on the ballot to make their choice in the past polls which they will repeat again this year.”
Masara hails from Gwasii clan which was originally based in the nearby Homa Bay county, while Ndiege is from Suna clan which forms the bulwark of voters despite the constituency having other clans and tribes.
Ndiege has been poking holes into Masara’s legacy to boost his base. “We are ready to improve Suna West constituency to regain the lost glory.”
The two will also face off with other candidates: former Migori Agriculture executive Valentine Ogongo (Independent), businessman Philip Kajimba (NOPEU party), Dave Odoyo (Safina) and David Kelly (Jubilee Party).
“Ndiege and Masara worked in the past and have nothing to show for their time apart of causing disunity. I will foster unity in Suna West, as well as have a transparent and accountable use of funds,” Ogongo said.
Meanwhile, clan politics, development record and personalities of aspirants continue to take centre stage in the campaigns ahead of next month's polls.
(edited by Amol Awuor)
