Reports Leo Odera Omolo In Homa-Bay Town,
IMMIGRATION and Registration of Persons Minister Gerald Otieno Kajwang’ was at the weekend endorsed as the chairman of Homa-Bay County Development Forum at a tension parked consultative meeting held last Saturday.
The Minister who is also the MP for Mbita constituency by virtue of the endorsement became automatically the sole spokesman for the Homa-Bay County.
Several far-reaching resolutions were unanimously passed at the meeting which was held inside the Homa-Bay County Hall and attended by the three members of parliament, professionals, civic leaders and dozens of th0se aspiring for the various positions with the County governance,
Also in attendance were four former MPs who represented the various parliamentary constituencies in the previous parliament. They included Matthews Otieno Ogingo {Ndhiwa}, George Osingo Migure{Mbita} Tom Okello Obondo {Ndhiwa} and Eng Phillip Okoth Okundi {Rangwe}.
The meeting which was chaired by Kajwang had brought together ex-MPs, professionals, clergymen, civic leaders, party operatives and local politician from the six parliamentary constituencies that forms the Homa-Bay County, namely Mbita, Gwassi, Ndhiwa, Rangwe, Karachuonyo and Kasipul-Kabondo.
Kajwang’ was accompanied by three other MPs, namely Oyugi Maguwanga {Kasipul-Kabondo, Martin Otieno Ogindo {Rangwe} and Ms Millie Odhiambo nominated MP.
Technocrats and professionals who attended the meeting include Dr Mark Matunga from the Microsoft, Dr Kenneth Oscar Kambona from the USAID, the Chief of Staff at the Prime Minister’s Office Karoli Omondi,Prof.Akeyo Omolo from Maseno University, Mrs Roselyn Onyuka the former Nyanza PDE and now a commissioner with the TSC, Dr Eve Obara the managing director of the Kenya Literature Bureau, a Kisii based lawyer Samuel Ochillo.
It was the county leaders who converged for the inaugural of the Homa-Bay County Leaders Consultative meeting. The incumbent MPs from the region were taken to task over their recent decision to “dish” out positions created as a result of the new constitutional dispensation..
MInister Otieno Kajwang’ the convener had hectic time cooling down the tempers of the participant in his bid to protect the MPs
A delegate from Gwassi caused a stir when he challenged the MPs to explain then reason why they ha decided to allocate Gwassi the post of the deputy County governor?
Here were some issues highlighted by the professionals in their addresses. For example, Dr Kambona stressed the need for the Homa-Bay County to go out full blast and shop for new investors.
The Chief of Staff at the PM’s Office Karoli Omondi urged the leaders to come out with proposals that could be used in developing the new Country much faster.
The clamor for both the posts of Senate and County governor took the center stage during the meeting. Those eyeing various seats got the opportunity to declare their stand.
The least of those intending to contest for the position of the County governor were floated to the dalegates They include the former immediate Rangwe MP Eng.Phillip Okundi, who is also the chairman of the CCK, the incumbent Rangwe MP Martin Otieno Ogindo, Dr Mark Matunga of the Microsoft and businessman Opiata Ogada.
Other whose names featured prominently at the meeting include the former Country Director of Marie Stoppie Clinic Cyprian Otieno Awiti and a businessman Isaiya Ogwe.
Awiti who is leading the pack of the aspirants for the Homa-Bay Senate seat conducted a very successful fund drive for Mirogi Catholic Mission the next day and was endorsed by the congregation led by Fr Nicholas Otieno, and the faithful endorsed him.
These aspirants hail from different locations within the County of Homa-Bay. Dr Mark Matunga is from Mfangano Island in {Mbita}, while Opiata Ogada is from Rusinga Island {Mbita}, Eng Phillip Okoth Okundi hails from Kochia {Rangwe}, MP Martin Otieno Ogindo from Kanyada {Rangwe},Cyprian Otieno Awiti is from East Karachunyo{Karachuonyo} while Isaiya Ogwe hails from Kanyada in Rangwe
It is expected that more names will com forward for the same posts within the next few weeks. But for now Cyprian Awiti and Eng.Okundi appeared to be in the lead followed by Dr Mark Matunga.
Karachuonyo MP Eng. James Rege had told this writer that in apportioning different slots for several constituencies, the MPs from the region had meant well just for the purpose of protecting constituencies with minority votes..
The MP added that if the contestants were to campaign openly areas with more votes like Karachuonyo and Kasipul-Kabondo would swept the board taking all the important positions and after taking this into consideration, the MP from the region met and decided to apportion the seats evenly so that each and every constituency among the six of them would have their man or woman at the County governance. But the idea was violently rejected by the delegates and did not sell well.
The MPs who were unable to attend the meeting sent their apologies. They were John Mbadi {Gwasi}. Joshua Orwa Ojode {Ndhiwa}
It was rather strange that only two people came forward and declare their interests in the Senate seat for Homa-Bay County. These were the former Kasipul-Kabondo MP Oloo Otula and a businessman Hilary Alila, the son of the former KNUT boss the late Nelson Onyango Alila from Ndhiwa . The nominated MP Millie Odhiambo declared her interest in the Women Senate Representative for Homna0Bay County.
During the meeting Minister Otieno Kajwang’ dispelled the rumor that was spreading around that he was shifting from Parliament to the Senate. He said he would defend his parliamentary seat.
Another MP Oyugi Maguwanga {Kasipula-Kabndo} also declared that he had no interests in the County position and as such would defend his seat in parliament come the year 2012. But the Rangwe MP Martin Otieno Ogindo said he would switch to the governorship.
Ends
leooderaomolo@yahoo.com
I hail our county leaders and professionals for coming together to launch Homa Bay County Development forum. However, I beg any of the leaders who may have the opprtunity to read my comment to consider bringing profesor Joseph Ben Pius Ouma Muga on board. This great man from Kochia clan has not been seen nor heard of for long and I think he will be of great help if he joins our professionals in charting development agenda for our vast county. Environmental matters, which is of great concern for our people is his food. I beg to be assisted with the gentleman’s contacts so that we smoke him out and benefit from his technical expertise.
The coming together of political leaders for the common good is commendable. However, there is too much emphasis on strategising for political positions rather than focusing on improving livelihoods of the county residents.
The County Development Forum, chaired by Hon. Kajwang’ should be used to mobilize professionals, businessmen and farmers to form investment vehicles that would exploit the fisheries, tourism, agriculture and livestock resources. It can sponsor a public financial and invetment education campaign too.
Business incubation centres with state of the art ICT infrstracture and connectivity should be in every district headquarters with later roll outs to locational headquarters.
The forum should also lobby for university campuses in Mbita, Mawego and Homabay. Tarmacking of major roads in the county should be a priority and the county MPs should spaek with one voice about it.
A development clearing house should be in place to market Homabay’s investment opportunities, direct and coordinate NGOs and other donors interventions to be in line with development blueprints of the districts. This can be started by having a dedicated website for the County’s development needs and Investment opportunities.
Homabay Hospital should be upgraded to a referral Hospital and the district hospitals upgraded too.
Homabay, Mbita, Agoro Sare, Gendia, Tonga, Ogande, Asumbi, Sindo should be developed into international model high schools that offer IGCE A-levels to cater for students from other countries in the region. Other high shools should also be developd to the standard of national schools.
Laying of water pipes and irrigation systems is another agenda the MPs should be speaking with one voice about.
Big dreams!Because your destiny is a matter of your choice. It is in your hands.
Very inforamtive. Please keep me posted on developments in HB county
We are happy for the consultations dear learned friends. We need U niversity for Education benefits in Karachuonyo,Rangwe,Kasipul Kabondo Constituencies.2nd Road infrastructure,Let the race begin,this is anew Kenya,I wish you all good luck
the senate possition should be left to hillay alila young and briliant
Omera, rwedhi oluor to kara gipakore ni gin national leaders nade .Senate dwaro intalectuals yawa.
On 20th oct, 2010,Kajwang swore that he will not be vying for the senate.Recently during the burial of brian weke’s gmother,he reiterated that.He quipped that mbita people were pushing him to plough a land that has never been tried b4.(refering to senate).During the fake prayer meeting in Homa bay he again said there will be more work 4 him in parliament n that that is what he was gunning 4.Most recently at Kodiera,he childishly asked “do you people think I kajwang can give people money for votes all the way from chabera to Remba?,I dont have that kind of money.”He said. WITH THIS IN MIND WE NOW WONDER WHAT HAS CHANGED THE MIND OF THE CHOIRMASTER.SBODY SHUD ADVICE KAJWANG TO SAVE THE LITTLE THAT HE SAYS HE HAS.HE IS GOING 2 EMBARRASS HIMSELF.HIS SONGS N JOKES R NOT WELCOME.
let the representative kind of sampling be used when nominating the candidates of the county leadership. we as the county voters will only recognizance those aspirants whose development plans are in action i.e HON. CYPRIAN AWITY. Let agriculture and technological advancement be given the very most weight as well as infrastructural networks. our lovely county need like minded leaders of both gender for the county to develop and solve its current problems. let not the current corrupt, greedy, self interested and clannish politicians destroy the well planed Dev. by the likes of CYPRIAN AWITI amongst other helpful individuals fade.