The saying that there are no permanent political enemies or friendships has once again been proven true by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's cousin's return to the Orange Democratic Party (ODM).
According to a report by The Standard, Former Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo announced his return publicly for the first time in Ambira, Ugunja Sub-County at a funeral on Sunday, February 9.
He disclosed that he had sat down with Odinga for a discussion and resolved that the country was more important than the two.
"Together with my brother Raila, we have sat down and talked. Kenya is bigger than me. Henceforth nobody should try their tricks and games on our party leader Raila, I will definitely fight you," stated Midiwo.
At the height of the 2017 campaigns, Midiwo had exited ODM in a rather noisy way after failing to clinch the party's nomination losing to his competitor Elisha Odhiambo.
At the time, the former lawmaker claimed that he had won the primaries but a number of the party mercenaries had colluded to kick him out of the race.
Midiwo made the announcement to quit on Sunday, May 7, 2017, allegedly after weeks of tension and drama in the party.
In July that year, reports also emerged that the former lawmaker, who had also served as deputy minority leader of the now-defunct Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord), had defied Odinga by deciding to vie for the seat as an independent candidate.
The former prime minister had urged leaders who had flopped in the primaries to stay put and wait for nomination positions.
Roughly three years after the fallout, hints emerged that Midiwo and ODM leadership had mended fences which were confirmed by the former lawmaker.
Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi had earlier in that funeral announced that the two leaders had ironed issues out and Midiwo was headed back to the party.
"Midiwo and I, have been speaking well. Everyone in the party agrees that we need someone in the calibre of Midiwo in the party to move forward especially now that he is not in parliament and have some time in his hands," noted Wandayi.
