By Chak Rachar
An attempt by the outgoing Kisumu Mayor Sam Okello to have Prime Minister Raila Odinga to intervene and “help him be re-elected” for another term was flatly rejected by Raila who told him straight in his face that he must face his opponents.
In a move interpreted by many that Okello is out of Raila’s favor and he is on his out of Kisumu politics by Raila telling him to face his opponents was like giving him a political rope to hang him with it.
One of the politicians who was present at the said meeting which took place last Saturday in the morning at Raila’s Kisumu residence said that Mayor Okello was accompanied by the factional Luo Council of Elders leader Opiyo Otondi, Councillors Ben Muga , Isaiah Onyango and perennial Kisumu Parliamentary aspirant Shem Oeyo Onyango Kwega .
“When Raila gave them his ear, Ker Otondi was the first to speak saying that he had brought “his son” (Mayor Okello) to him so that he compels Councilors opposed to him during the 1st July mayoral elections to be coerced by Raila to have them re-elect Okello”an insider during g the said meeting said.
He further added that Otondi pleaded with Raila so that the status –quo remains the way it is presently with Okello being the Mayor and Coucillor Soja Oyollo who is his opponent just retaining his Chairmanship of the planning committee.
Okelo also told Raila to help him with ODM youths so that they could reign terror during the elections day so that by the time the elections would be called, he would have organized himself better.
“Raila told them that he was against violence in Kisumu presently as the town was trying to re-invent himself for investors to be wooed and further told Okello that the said status quo he wanted could only be possible if the councilors were united the source further said.
“Find away how you can lure the Councilors presently with Oyolo Soja because the law requires that eventually the elections will be done, Kwega call a meeting between the Councilors and Okello and see if the can some sort of agreement” Raila instructed Kwega.
The group left dejected and were heard murmuring wondering why Raila could not call the said meeting him like he did when he brought Okello the first time.
The said meeting of the ODM party took place and a resolution was reached that Mayor Okello was to eventually face his opponents in the forthcoming elections as he was told that Raila presently was more than a Luo leader.
By the time we went to press, Lord Oyollo as he is popularly known was said to be having eighteen Councilors against Okello’s eleven and he is presently with them in Kampala Uganda strategizing how to win the elections.
ENDS
Sam Okello is going nowhere.
What Sam has done in Kisumu cannot be matched by any of the current pretenders. They might pay idlers as they did, but that will only end at that.
We are moving Kenya to a new level where development must be key to what we are doing and how we relate.
Do you remember that when Sam was elected Mayor of Kisumu, the Council was in debt of Kshs 376 Million and they had not paid their employees salaries in eight months? The debt has been cleared under his watch and the salaries come on time nowadays.
Do you know that under his watch the Kisumu Airpaorts construction took an active turn and the Airport is being officially opened next month?
Do you know that under his watch, Kenya Breweries Ltd are coming back to Kisumu in the next 2 months and that will come with added value to the people of Kisumu?
Do you know that the City Planning is complete under his watch and that now awaits implementation only?
Did you know that Water and Sanitation has been a mojor problem in Kisumu, and right now, everything has been set up and all arrangements and plans are ready for commissioning?
Did you know that the team under Sam have addressed Education, Health and Infrastructural issues in Kisumu and the Town is ready for take-off?
Did you know that the schools that were being commissiined by the Rt Hon Prime Minister has consumed Kshs 580m and this has been done under his watch?
Joshua, I really expect someone of your calibre to engage the people and show them the way when they are doing such stupid things as being paid to make noise. I expected that you will see reason and debate the facts and see if Sam really must go.
There are several projects that are coming up in Kisumu and we need hands on guys like Sam Okello to drive the process.
You quote the benefits of the Constitution out of context. The Constitution is meant to work for the benefit of Kenyans and not to be used as an impediment to Rapid Development that Kisumu so needs.
Sam Okello is doing to Kisumu the kind of development that we are witnessing towards Thika. We need such kind of leaders all across Kenya. We must not begrudge what is happening elsewhere. We must appreciate such kind of developments if we also have one focused leader effecting the change that we need.
For how long will we be saddled with dead woods for leadership? On this score, you have sourly let me down brother.
Oto