ODM leader Raila Odinga's recent tour of Bungoma has put into question the loyalty of his key associates in the county.
At the weekend when he attended a funeral in Sirisia and held a rally in Bungoma town, some elected leaders who have always associated themselves with Raila were conspicuously absent.
Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi, Tongaren MP Eseli Simiyu and Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati are seen as his point men in the county.
At the weekend, Wangamati only attended the funeral in Sirisia. He snubbed the Bungoma town rally. Wamunyinyi and Eseli were not present at either the funeral or the rally.
Elected Ford Kenya and ODM MCAs were also absent.
But speaking to the Star on the phone, Wamunyinyi defended his absence, saying he missed both events because he was attending his niece's funeral in Busia.
"I had communicated to Baba that I would be away for family matters and he was fully aware," the Kanduyi MP said.
Busia borders Sirisia where Raila attended a funeral.
Eseli also said he had spoken to Raila and informed him that he would not attend the two events. He, however, did not disclose which engagements he had.
Political observers have opined that the missing in action of key Raila allies during his tour was not a good sign and could mean they have not yet made up their minds on whom to support for the presidency.
"The lack of attendance by the trio and other ODM elected leaders in the region should be a wake-up call for Raila that his supposed stronghold could be up to something else," political analyst Isaac Wanjekeche said.
He said most leaders in Bungoma county were torn between supporting Raila and Deputy President William Ruto, who has over the years wooed the region to support him.
He said most politicians have adopted a wait-and-see approach.
Vocal Bungoma MCA Majimbo Okumu, who has been a key figure behind ODM in the region, wondered why the leaders failed to turn up and accompany Raila on his tour.
"You have seen leaders in other regions, including governors, accompany Raila. It raises many questions about why they failed to show up," he said.
During the funeral in Sirisia, ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna called on Wangamati, Wamunyinyi and Eseli to quit Ford Kenya and join ODM.
The three have been fighting with Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang'ula over Ford Kenya leadership. The matter is pending in court.
Edited by A.N
