It has now emerged that the NASA coalition approached the August 8 election in a state of deep division and political tension.

The revelations were made after Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga testified in an election petition where he made public contents of private communication he had shared with NASA Leader Raila Odinga’s elder brother, Oburu.

Rasanga told the court that Oburu had forwarded to him messages written by his opponent Nicholas Gumbo, who described him as a skunk and a thief.

“I have the text message forwarded to me by Dr Oburu. Gumbo had sent him a text claiming I was a thief and a skunk. I have sued him before and will still sue until he learns his lesson," Rasanga stated while testifying in an election petition challenging his win.

Gumbo and Rasanga were opponents in the August 8 election, although they were both in support of the NASA coalition.

Rasanga run on the ODM ticket while Gumbo went as an Independent but remained supportive of the NASA coalition.

The election petition has put Rasanga in a difficult position in light of NASA’s position that the August election was not free and fair.

Gumbo’s lawyers took advantage of the situation and asked him to answer a yes or no answer to the question, “Was the August 8 election free and fair?”.

Immediately after answering “no”, Gumbo’s lawyers moved on as the Siaya Governor insisted on giving an explanation.

“Even a slaughtered hen is allowed to make noise, why do you deny me the right of response?” Rasanga shouted as the court burst in laughter.

The matter is still ongoing at the Siaya High Court.