The Orange Democratic Movement has reportedly begged and pleaded with former Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo to return to the party.
The party reportedly wants to tame the growing political influence of Gumbo in Siaya County.
He wants to be the next Siaya Governor.
Gumbo left the Raila Odinga led Party after he was rigged out of the gubernatorial race in 2017 during the shambolic ODM nominations.
He vied for the Siaya Governors seat as an Independent candidate.
He lost to Cornel Rasanga.
“Held informal consultations with a section of leaders from Siaya County. I called for unity of purpose and asked all ODM leaders and those aspiring for the Party’s ticket to immediately stop all campaigns for the 2022 elections and focus on critical issues of the day” ODM leader Raila Odinga posted on his facebook.
During the meeting, Raila Odingas elder brother Oburu Odinga, MP Opiyo Wandayi, Nichiolas Gumbo, Siaya Senator James Orengo and Odur Ongwen were present.
Raila posted a group photo on facebook.
However, another picture surfaced online of a failed meeting where Oburu Odinga, Nicholas Gumbo, Opiyo Wandayi and Orengo posed together.
Its said Oburu , Wandayi and Orengo had tried to persuade Gumbo to return to ODM but he declined.
A source said after he became defiant, Raila had to convene a meeting and persuade him.
It is not clear if Gumbo accepted to return to ODM or declined after meeting “Baba”.
The source who requested anonymity said the meeting was called because Gumbo’s political influence in Siaya has been rising and that this is worrying the Odinga family.
However, several residents from Siaya warned Gumbo that he should trade carefully because ODM may abandon him at the last minute.
“This is a scheme to cage him He should be careful,” said Meshack Onyango.