[Raila Odinga addressing is supporters in Siaya. He is facing headache from a group of independent candidates from his backyard. Photo/PEtale]
Despite having a task to accomplish against President Uhuru Kenyatta in August, ODM leader Raila Odinga is fighting major internal wars within his party and former allies.
The emergence of independent candidates in his Nyanza backyard is causing the veteran politician sleepless nights as he fights to have his party win majority of seats in elective positions.
Recently, his decision to condemn independent candidates caused havoc leading to condemnation from all quarters.
In a sharp contrast with his competitor, Uhuru Kenyatta, the Jubilee team is slowly embracing potential candidates who lost in party primaries.
On Monday, Odinga was forced to cancel a rally at Rarienda following chaos that involved supporters of Governor Amoth Rasanga and his main rival Nicholas Gumbo.
Gumbo had contested his loss in ODM primaries before joining the long list of independent candidates across the country.
To win majority of seats, Odinga has tasked his brother Oburu Oburu Oginga and Homabay Women Representative Gladys Wanga to take charge of campaigns.
The two have been facing hostility while traversing the greater Luo Nyanza region with Oburu accusing Jubilee of funding independents.