Uriri MP Mark Nyamita.
A titanic political battle is shaping up in Migori County's gubernatorial race with Uriri MP Mark Nyamita saying he is ready to quit ODM should the party stand in the way of his quest to unseat Governor Ochilo Ayacko.
The rivalry between the two has been steadily rising, spilling over into funerals and public gatherings in Migori, with rival supporters clashing during such events.
The two ODM members have been embroiled in political turf wars ever since the MP declared his intention to dethrone the county boss come 2027.
With no love lost between the two, the Oburu Oginga-led ODM has found itself trying to calm the storm ahead of primaries.
Migori Governor Ochillo Ayacko.
In an interview with the Nation, the second-term lawmaker revealed that he is ready to seek an alternative ticket to contest the seat should ODM sideline him.
“The party has to conduct credible primaries. In the absence of this, then we will seek other alternatives,” declared Mr Nyamita.
The MP, who made an unsuccessful stab at the seat in 2013 at the age of 32 years, reckons his time as Uriri legislator has prepared him for the top county seat.
“I believe it is the right time to put in my expertise for the betterment of the county, otherwise, we are going to be left behind by other counties,” he said.
“I don’t want people to elect me because of where I come from or my clan but because of my track record.”
On what he thinks is trubling his county, he cites a broken healthcare system. He also says that despite being strategically located and big in the sugar belts, having gold resources and bordering the lake, the county lacks even basic infrastructure that can attract investment.
ODM 'rebel' tag
Mr Nyamita was among “ODM rebels” who made a courtesy visit to President William Ruto at State House in 2023. At the time, the visit drew the ire of the party and its leader Raila Odinga. Now, two years later, he says the visit was worth it.
“Even if you were to reverse the times, I would still do it. There was nothing wrong with going to the State House," he says.
“Our people must understand there is a difference between talking with the government of the day and leaders of political parties. When we went to meet the President, we went to State House and not UDA headquarters. At no point did we denounce our party.”
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