From: Ouko joachim omolo
The News Dispatch with Omolo Beste in images
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013
Since the re-introduction of multiparty politics in 1992 Prime Minister Raila Odinga has not met a tough rebellion like the one he did in Homa Bay County on Wednesday, after irate youths heckled and booed him as he told his supporters in dholuo to vote for ODM candidates only and ignore other affiliates.
He has not met tough hostility because since 1992 Nyanza has traditionally rallied behind political parties led by the Odinga family, and any politician who introduced or came with a different party risked being whisked.
With Wednesday rebellion there are signs that the political dynasty that has controlled Nyanza for decades could lose its iron grip due to the discord brought about by political intrigues within the Cord alliance.
This time along Luo Nyanza voters were pouring their anger on Raila Odinga for allowing his ODM party to give direct nomination to political aspirants they did not prefer. The voters felt they were robbed of victory by issuing certificates to many of the candidates who have served for long in parliament without any development at all.
Because this mess has never been cleansed, there is high possibility that a wind of political change is likely to sweep through Nyanza by voters rejecting the old and corrupt gurus in ODM were imposed to them.
Even though the angry crowds told the PM off and vowed to reject any ODM candidate who was given direct nomination in the whole Nyanza region, he still insisted that they must vote only ODM candidates in March 4th general elections.
Those who the voters allege were defeated but given ODM certificates include Immigration Minister Otieno Kajwang for Senate seat for Homabay County, instead of Hillary Alila who the voters say won the nomination.
Kajwang received the ticket after hotly disputed party primaries that led to Alila defecting to People’s Democratic Party (PDP). This is not the first time voters have claimed Kajwang had been rigged in.
In 2007 when Sammy Wakiaga a civil servant and a prominent Nairobi based businessman was heading for a landslide election victory over Kajwang’ in Mbita constituency on an ODM ticket, Raila Odinga had prevailed upon Wakiaga to step down for Kajwang and wait for other job opening up in the event of the ODM forming the government. Wakiaga has since then kept a low profile in politics.
Voters don’t want Kajwang’ because when he was MP for Mbita he did very little in terms of development. Kajwang won the Mbita seat during the first multi-party election in 1992, and has repeatedly successfully defended his seat ever since.
He had a lackluster performance and poor track record of development. That is why when he announced his ambition that he was going to become the Senate representative of the Homa-Bay County he could not augur well with the entire County’s voters.
Homa-Bay County covers Gwassi, Mbita, Ndhiwa, Rangwe, Homa-Bay Town, Karachuonyo, Kasipul and Kabondo/ Kasipul. Kasipul and Kabondo constituencies in particular may not vote for him because of their belief that he was the one used by Raila Odinga to spear-head the controversial ousting of the influential Ker Meshack Riaga Ogalo, from the mantle and leadership of the moribund Luo Council of Elders from his office.
The violence which broke out in Rodi Kopany in the evening occurred when supporters of Peter Opondo Kaluma complained over allegations that immediate former Rangwe Mp Martin Ogindo was awarded ODM nomination certificate yet he never won the election. Voters were already tired with Ogindo and thought it was time for him to give chance for a new comer, only to learn later that he was rigged in.
While Alila’s candidature has drawn large support, especially from the youths and women who see him as a visionary leader and not power-hungry, in Siaya County voters are very angry that their preference candidate William Oduol was denied ODM certificate after winning nomination.
Mr Oduol faced Mr Odinga’s elder brother, Oburu Oginga in the primaries but the two were later disqualified by ODM over alleged confusion during the exercise. Oduol was robbed of victory and has since defected to the little known National Agenda Party and will face ODM’s nominee, Cornel Rasanga Amoth who was imposed to Siaya voters.
In Muhoroni the music is the same, where assistant minister Ayiecho Olweny is facing his perennial opponent, James Onyango K’Oyoo, who moved to Omingo Magara’s PDP after being denied the ODM certificate.
According to Muhoroni voters it is a fact that K’Oyoo beat Mr Olweny by a landslide during the ODM nominations but he was robbed of victory. He will have a sweet revenge on March 4,” when voters are likely to vote for him instead of ODM candidate.
In Kasipul is the same problem, where outgoing MP Oyugi Magwanga is a worried man after his main opponent; Charles Ongondo defected to Kalembe Ndile’s Tip party. Kasipul voters maintain Ongondo was robbed victory and they are likely to vote him against Magwanga.
Similar resistance is also expected in Gem, Nyando, Kisumu and in Rongo, where Public Service minister Dalmas Otieno is facing a tough battle from his main opponents, Gradus Oluoch and Paul Abuor. Mr Oluoch is vying on Wiper while Abuor settled on Tip.
Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko, AJ
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Real change must come from ordinary people who refuse to be taken hostage by the weapons of politicians in the face of inequality, racism and oppression, but march together towards a clear and unambiguous goal.
-Anne Montgomery, RSCJ UN Disarmament Conference, 2002