The race for the Siaya County Senate seat ahead of the 2027 General Election has taken a new turn, with Walter Okelo emerging as a formidable unifying force following the high-profile withdrawal of key rivals.

In what seems to be youth’s political realignment, Siaya based businessman Nick Ongoro officially bowed out of the contest, taking to Facebook to announce his exit and extend his endorsement and best wishes to Okelo.

Ongoro’s withdrawal comes just months after another contestant East Asembo MCA Gordon Onyango, a close ally of Okelo, similarly stepped aside to consolidate the campaign’s regional backing.

Earlier before Ongoro’s departure, Okelo paid a courtesy call to Ongoro at his Thuon Gueno Foundation offices at Rabango, Siaya Township Ward, signaling a shift toward structured, consultative politics aimed at avoiding divisive primary battles.

Local political analysts note that the 41-year-old aspirant is setting a pace through an exhaustive grassroots campaign strategy.

Okelo frequently crisscrosses the entire county to attend different events a day, spanning empowerment forums, sports tournaments, and community development initiatives, directly connecting with the electorate.

Insiders and supporters have drawn parallels between Okelo’s versatile political style and some of Nyanza’s most seasoned political giants.

Observers see the planning and execution of his political mentor, former Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo; the quiet, hands-on administrative patience of former Governor Cornel Rasanga, under whom Okelo served as Chief of Staff and later Lands Chief Officer.

Those driving his campaign emphasize that “The Okelo in Okelo” represents a distinct, tech-savvy, and media-accessible brand of youth leadership tailored to bridge generational divides and lock down the 2027 seat.