Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Oyugis Town.

The recent announcement by the disbanded Interim Independent Boundary Commission, led by Andrew Ligale, that it has sub-divided the densely populated Kasipul-Kabondo constituency into two parliamentary electoral areas, has been welcome with enthusiasm by the residents of the region.

Its creation, however, has caused inter-clans conflict of interests, which could easily spark off heated political agitation if a solution cannot be found as quickly as possible.

The sub-division, however, was long over due. It is indeed, a blessing in disguise for the residents of this agriculturally rich region, which now fall under the newly created County of Homa-Bay.

What is likely to ignite heated political agitation is the realignment of the two constituency’s boundaries. This could raise the political temperature in the area if not resolved amicably.

The other contentious issue is the name of the new constituency. Those living in the eastern part of the constituency want the constituency to be called Kabondo constituency. But this proposal has sparked heated debate. The majority want the name Sipul to be retained in all the two constituencies. And that the new constituency to be called Kasipul-Kabondo East while the other be called Kasipul-Kabondo West.

The reason why this line of argument carries some weight with it, is the inclusion of the three major administrative locations into the new constituency. In this region, the locations and sub -locations bear the names of clans and sub-clans.

The sub-division has slashed a big chunk of locations in East Kasipul and grouped them together with six or so locations in Kabondo Division within Rachuonyo South district in Homa-Bay County.

The three locations are namely Kokwanyo, Kakelo and Kojwach. These are the locations which have now been grouped together with the six locations in Kabondo Division. This is what is giving credence to the insistence, by the majority of residents of the two constituencies, that the name Sipul be retained in both of them to justify renaming the two constituencies as Kasipul-Kabondo-East and Kasipul Kabondo West.

The residents are arguing that the name Sipul is their symbol of unity as it carries the sacred name of their great ancestor Sipul son of Rachuonyo.

The Rachuonyo South district has the best arable land. It is capable of producing pineapples, fruits of all kinds, bananas, maize, sweet potatoes, coffee and tea, ground-nuts, sorghum millets and finger millets.

The area has reliable distribution of rainfall throughout the year. The region is suitable for the rearing of graded dairy animals, but the majority of residents still prefer keeping the native and little valued zebu cattle instead of the full scale introduction of graded dairy cows.

The region’s major commercial town, which is Oyugis, has the potential market for fresh milk. But as for now residents consume close to 3,000 liters of milk per day in Oyugis town and its environs. Most of the milk is imported from Kericho and Bureti districts in the Rift Valley Province and some part of the neighboring Kitutu Chache constituency.

There are other markets and trading centers such as Chabera, Nyapalo, Kadongo, Ringa, Ober- -all located beside the main Sondu-Oyugis road.

Kasipul-Kabondo has some of the best established primary and secondary schools. This massive development in educational facilities could rightly be attributed to the late Ex-Senior Chief Gideon Magak, who ruled the region with an iron fist between 1927 and 1954. The chief, whose rule was full of draconian policy, had introduced forced education for both boys and girls and encouraged families to take their children to schools – – some of whom he personally paid school fees for from his own pocket.

Magak died in 1962. After his retirement from the chieftainship, he served as a member of the African District Council {ADC} and at times served as its vice chairman. He left a legacy of well developed education infrastructure. It was he who established Oriang’ D.E.B, Wang’apala D.E.B, Ober D.E.B, Agoro-Sare D.E.B, Saye D.E.B and Nyang’ioela D.E.B. Most of these schools are now some of the best secondary and high schools in Southern Nyanza and this is the legacy which Ex-Senior Chief Gideon Magaka left behind.

Another name worth mentioning in connection with rapid development in agriculture of tea is the former cabinet Minister in the post-independence government led by the late President Jomo Kenyatta, the late Hon Samuel Onyango Ayodo, who ceaselessly preached the gospel of hard work.

Ayodo was first elected to the Colonial Legislative Council for Southern Nyanza constituency in 1959 when he was plucked out of Kisii High School, where he was a teacher, by the late Tom Mboya. He went on to become the first MP for Kasipul- Kabondo in 1963.

Thereafter, while serving in the post independence cabinet as the minister for local Government, and later Tourism and Wildlife, Ayodo launched the campaign for a change in the farming pattern, urging peasant farmers to change to new methods of farming and better crop husbandry. At the same time he lost no chance in publicly denouncing laziness and idleness. This campaign has produced good results, and this is why farming in Kabondo and some parts of Kasipul have moved up a notch higher in comparison to other neighboring Luo-Nyanza locations.

The region is producing thousands of tones of sweet potatoes which is minting million of shillings when exported to bigger towns and urban centers. It is also producing a lot of pineapples, particularly in Kabondo Division, making it feasible for the investment in fruit manufacturing and processing plants in the area.

Although the weather is the same and soil conditions are similar to the neighboring district, there is some element of laxity and idleness on the part of the residents of this region in ushering changes from the old system of farming to new methods and technology. Of course, someone somewhere should appear in the picture and launch a spirited campaign for such changes.

Also there is an ardent need for the residents in collaboration with the police and administrative authorities to stamp out lawlessness and thuggeries around Oyugis Town and its environs, which is the most worrying point for traders and business people. Insecurity around Oyugis Town has reached an alarming proportion.

The new constituency would now be neighboring Mugirango West to the east, Nyakach to the north across Sondu-Miriu River, Karachuonyo to the West, Rangwe to the South, Kitutu Chache to the South West and Kasipul Kabondo West to the west.

The constituency is served by Ahero-Oyugis and Kisii highway, and another all weather Murrum road that links Oyugis Town to Kosele District headquarters and eventually to Kendu-Bay Town.

The administrative headquarters is located at Kosele Market and stands right on the boundary of the two Rachuonyo districts, while Oyugis Town is the major commercial center in the region.

Despite the fact that the Andrew Ligale IIBC has been disbanded before officially publishing the names of the new 89 parliamentary constituencies in the government official gazette of the new constituency, the campaign by those who want to become the area MP has began in earnest.

Names of the potential contestants are already being floated here and there. Leading the pack is Dr. Kambona Oyugi, who works with USAID in Nairobi, and who hails from Ober-Mikaye Kakelo. These are some of the parts of East Kasipul which are grouped together with the Kabondo locations to form the new constituency.

The US trained top agronomist, was last weekend, spotted presiding in four different fund raising meeting on Sunday, while in a group of supporters.

He had shared one platform with a Nairobi based business tycoon, Hebert Ojwang’, who hails from Kakangutu in east Kabondo. The populist politician-cum-businessman was once the PA to the Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Ojwang’ is well known for his oratory skils. He is expected to give other aspirants for the same seat a run for their money.

Other names being fronted around include that of Prof O. Muga, the DVC of the Great Lakes University, based in Kisumu City. Muga is a former director of medical services and only joined the teaching fraternity after his retirement from the public service. Prof. Muga too, like Dr Kambona Oyugi, hails from Kakelo Dudi in East Kasipul.

Another potential aspirant is young beautiful wit and attractive woman, Mrs Eve Obara, who is the CEO for the Kenya Literature Bureau in Nairobi. Mrs Obara is said to be so popular with women and youth that if she chose to stand, that would cause havoc to other aspirants.

Another name which is being floated around is that of Dr. Tom Ayodo, of Maseno University. He is the younger brother of the late Minister, Sam Onyango Ayodo, the family name that has since become permanently associated with Politics.

Prof.Keya who works with FAO in Rome is also another name being mentioned.

None of those whose names are mentioned above has confirmed that he or she would be in the race except Dr. Kambona Oyugi and Hebert Ojwang’.

It is expected that other names of potential contestants will spring up as the time goes on and the general election draws nearer,

Ends

leooderaomolo@yahoo.com