Writes Leo Odera Omolo in Kisumu City.
ONLY one week after his first major public function in the heart of Kisumu was abruptly cancelled on security ground, the suspended Higher Education Minister William Ruto is reported to have posted a large number of agents and political surrogates into various parts of Luo-Nyanza to destabilize his arch-rival Raila Odinga at his home turf.
These agents are said to have their pockets lined up with bank-notes, which they are generously dishing out to the persons targeted for the job.
Ruto’s agent are said to have penetrated many parts of Luo-Nyanza while armed with money and persuasive language in luring ODM member to ditch their party and join which ever party that the Eldoret North would be launching soon.
A large number of Ruto supporters in Luo-Nyanza were lavishly treated to “Nyama-Choma” party at the home of one prominent Luo politician. The home is said to be located near Oyugis Town in Rachuonyo South district, In the Homa-Bay County.
Those who attended the party reported that a lot of niceties exchanged hands. Two fat bulls whose prices were moderately given to be between Kshs 25,000 and Kshs 30,000 each slaughtered.
Invited at the politically charged party were also treated to a lot of beer, ”chang’aa”and other seriously intoxicating drugs. Many were reported to have defiantly vowed to support Ruto’s presidential bid in 2012 irrespective whether their own man Raila Odinga will be in the presidential race or not.
During the aborted public function which was supposed to have been presided by Ruto at the Kenyatta Sports Ground in the heart of Kisumu City, and which was cancelled apparently on security ground and re-scheduled for March 19, the unnamed prominent Luo leader from Kasipul-Kabondo is said to have hired five big passenger buses which would have been used in ferrying supporters to Kisumu City.
Two popular Ohangla musicians from Southern Nyanza were also lavishly paid to travel to Kisumu for the purpose of entertaining the crowd during the Ruto’s function.
Meanwhile reports reaching Kisumu from Siaya County says that a new face in Nyanza politics is causing havoc in Gem constituency in Siaya County. The man who had served in senior capacity in the human resources department of the company, but had lost his job, but was later sacked for the alleged gross misconduct and embezzlement.
The politician whose name was given as Elisha Ochieng’ Odhiambo, who hails fro Umani, a minority Luhyia speaking sub-clan living in North-East Gem along the Nyanza/Western Province borders, has launched an effective and elaborate campaign to unseat Raila Odinga most trusted confidant Jakoyo Midiwo, the incumbent abrasive and combative Gem MP.
It is reported that the sudden emerging of Odhiambo who has sprung from nowhere and launched his campaign with thud is part of Ruto’s long term scheme to destabilize the Prime MinisterOdinga in home turf. Jakoyo Midiwo has blood relations with the Odinga’s from their uncles in Alego-Kakan. His mother and the mother of Raila are sisters.
Asked what chances has his opponent got in Gem, Jakoyo Midiwo scoffed he is now cowed, given the background of his challenger, adding that although Odhiambo is reported to have hired a large number of highly intoxicated and drunken youth to intimidate the electorate in Gem, he stand no chance of dethroning him. May be someone else can be beat me, but this one is the wrong one. He lacked the credibility with which he can win votes among the highly conservative voters in Gem constituency.
Moreover, members of the Umani sub-clan are not pure Luos. They speak both Dho-Luo and Luhya dialects. Other possible challengers to Jakoyo Midiwo include the Nairobi based lawyer Ambrose Rachier who is the chairman of the populist Gor-Mahia Football Club.
Ruto is said to be bankrolling other aspirants in Rongo, Rangwe, Karachuonyo, Kasipul-Kabondo, Nyakach, Muhoroni, Nyatike,Rarieda and in Alego-Usonga. These Ruto’s political surrogates are said to be still operating clandestinely, but would soon come out of their hideouts in full swing to launch the most elaborate and moneyed campaign against the men and women perceived to be Raila’s loyalists.
But what has left many people in Gem bewilder is the hiring of youths to inflict fears in the minds of Gem voters.
Reports emerging from Gem says despite having his pocket full of cash-money suspected to have come from Ruto’s coffers Odhiambo’s early campaign is said to making very little inroad in this area which is predominantly an ODM stronghold. Odhiambo could not be reached for comment.
Political pundits in Nyanza says the coming weeks will see more supporters rebelling and crossing into Ruto’s camp.
Ends
Who are these failed politicians who are there for hire? Where on Earth can you play politics by slaughtering bulls and putting innocent youths on chang’a? Let s Luo Nyanza open doors for competition but not for such thugs and looters.
Every Kenyan, Luos included, have constitutional protection of freedom of association. This reporter has a trend to herd people into either Raila or others camps. Let people associate with whoever they choose without labeling them hired agents. I trust that most Kenyans have the intelligence to associate responsibly and safeguard their freedom without fear or let. I personally think Hon Ruto has serious flaw in character but I would not prevent whoever wants to pal with him to do so.
Leo Odera Omolo – you have been known to file well-researched stories but on this one you are wrong. Umani people are not Luyias nor do they speak any of the luyia dialects. They may have luyia blood but that is a long story that can’t be used to discriminate them in Gem. I come from the same Location with Umani people and althoough am from the Kojuodhi clan, I find you allegations against Elisha and Umani people contemptuos and in bad taste. Let’s file stories that are informative and not speculative simply because we want to be politically correct.
Let my people enjoy the Open Society by accepting differnt political views. Within the Open Society, we can neither curve ourselves in nor can we afford to lock ourselves out. People who are advocating for monolithic political opinion are adverseries of democracy. For that respect, Nyanza must play an active role in ushering true democracy as it has been the champion of democracy in Kenya. How else can we explain our penchant of pointing fingers at the undemocratic elements if we turn around to condemn those who associate with others from other communities to chat a new political path? We must accept that as long as other communities provide platform for our sons and daughters to freely express our political views among their lot, we must reciprocally do the same using the “golden rule”. Let’s not walk on the same paths as we have done where Nyanza is balkanized and left on their own devices. For this reason, I appeal to all prophets of deceit to let my people free to enjoy the democratic space being exploited by other communities around us! ma anduso matin no oromo jokama.
Ialthough I am not an historian, but I should like to enlighten the commentator above Mr Onyango Ouma, thatthere isnodisutethat the Umani sub-clns speks two languages Dho-Luo and Luhyia. This elementary history of the Umani tells us that hen the Gem people escaped from Alego where the group was almost enslaved, and led by their hero Rading Omolo, they landed in Umani and were welcomed by Ruoth Waudi, who was the thenthe chieftain of thge areas. Umani were living together with their cousins the Kisa group, but because Waudi had befriuended Rading Omolo, they betrayed the Kisa and joined the Gem forces in driving the Kisa out of Gem to where the Kisa community lives today after protracted and bloody war.
TheGem people together with the their cousins the Ugenya people are descendant of Ochiel {Ochielo} a descendants of Ramogi11,whereas the origin of the people of Umani sub-clanremained unknown. But there is no disputre they are stillspking Luhhia or some of them.any years ago,the Umanis, Umuri, Buchiewkwes and other Ndgaria sub-clans such as Uhoares etc, were known even by the colonial administration in Kenya as Gem-Bantu, therefore Mr Onyango Ouma I am not wrong by saying that the Umani are only the assimulated or naturalised Luos but not the original Joka-Ramogi.I am sure we are not engaged in history contest Sir, b ut please do not criticise simply for the sake of being heard withoiut making yourself conversant to the subject. Thank you brother Ouma.I am sorry if you are offended!!
Leo Odera Omolo
I detest the politics of Ruto and whoever follows his brand of politics. However, Ruto’s retrogressive and selfish endevours should not be used as a patform for McCarthyism(witch hunting based on perceived/alleged association with communist Russia during the cold war)
I have known leo as a friend and a respected writer, but on this l fault him, surprisingly when he was writing the story he did not know it was me. I forgive him for the falshoods he has from whatever source but its not worth my effort in trying him through a rigorous litigation process. my history and career will set record straight. i am a life member of ODM and a full supporter of Raila Amolo Odinga who will be the next president of our republic. it is important to edify meritocracy and to avoid falsewoods, whether someone is after ruining my popularity in Gem, they should note that Gem people are enlightened and know where they want to go and how they need to reach there, we share a destiny, we are proud of our inheritance and mediocrity will never drive our leadership. Akuba
Jakoyo must go…
Leo Odero, you really tried but this story is one sided and probably a big joke meant to promote your agenda. How do you know that the other Luo groups you believe to be main stream Luos are real Luos. How can you tell that you are a real Luo. Stop dividing people. Umane is legally part of Gem. The language they speak or spoke is immaterial gin Jo Gem. Did you attend this Oyugis party? Be clear on your sources. Kenyans are free to associate. Please give us more facts.
Such divisive arguments are dangerous to our constituency and country at large. You were just about to tell us we must never vote in a president who is not a luo. Mark you this: we are talking about Gem Constituency, not Luo Constituency. What if he is a Ruto friend or whatever you call it, do you intend to control who can befriend who in this country. That is evil and divissive! Change your style of reasoning bwana Leo!