Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Homa-Bay Town.
Eng Phillip Okoth Okundi, the current chairman of the ODM election board, appeared to have taken the early lead in the forthcoming contest for the powerful position of the Homa-Bay County governor.
Eng Okundi, the immediate former Rangwe MP who is also the chairman of the Communication Council of Kenya, hails from Kochia West Location in the present Rangwe constituency, but his influence appeared to have evenly spread all over the six parliamentary constituencies of Mbita, Gwassi, Ndhiwa, Rangwe, Karachuoyo and Kasipul-Kabondo.
Okundi has vast training and skills in communication technology on top of his ministerial experience in public affairs. This has convinced many people in the region that he would be right person for the job of governor who could handle the region’s enormous natural resources with extra care.
Okundi’s popularity is buoyed by the fact that he had many years’ wealth of experience in the administration of public affairs dating back to his days as the deputy managing director of the defunct East African Posts and Telecommunications, and later the Kenya Posts and Telecommunications Corporation.
Upon leaving the Kenya Posts and Telecommunications, Eng.Okundi landed the most lucrative jobs of being the managing director of the Kenya Ports Authority {KPA} which he rescued from the possible verge of total collapse and turned the KPA to be one of the most vibrant quasi-government organizations.
He was later moved to the position of the managing director of the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation {KBC} and eventually landed the other senior position of the managing director of the Kenya Bureau of the Standards.
In the year 2002, Eng Okundi ventured into parliamentary politics and won the Rangwe seat with an overwhelming majority on the LDP ticket. But he lost the same seat in the controversial and violence marred 2007 general election to a political novice in the name of Martin Otieno Ogindo, the colorless incumbent Rangwe MP who has also since reportedly switched his politics from parliament o the position of governor under the new constitutional dispensation.
Eng Okundi’s main challenger for the same position is the former Marie Stoppie Country director, Cyprian Otieno Awiti, from East Karachuoyo in the North Rachuonyo district. Awiti’s managerial experience, however, is said to be rather inferior to that of Eng. Okundi. He had only served as the Principal of the Railway Training School before joining the Marie Stoppie Clinics an International NGO, which he has since left in unclear and unexplained circumstances.
The other credible challenger is Dr. Mark Matunga from Mfangano Island in the Suba district of Mbita.
Matunga is a senior technical representative if the Microsoft Computer International serving the company in close to 15 African countries in the south, east and west .But his experience in managerial skills involved the larger organization dealing with the public affairs is unknown quality.
Other contestants for the same position include Prof Joseph Akeyo of the Physics department of the Maseno University who hails from Wagwe Location in Central Karachuoyo. Prof Akeyo might have excelled in his academic performance However; his managerial experience in managing such a large quasi government organization like the County of Homa-Bay is still questionable.
Other names being mentioned as possible contestants in the same position of Homa-Bay County governor is a retired civil servant Opiata Ogada from Rusinga Island who is also a perennial parliamentary election loser in Mbita constituency.
The electorate, however, doubts Ogada’s ability to manage the largest County like that one of Homa-Bay and dismisses his candidature as a “big political joke”.
The common saying is that Homa-Bay County, which is likely to be the largest in the region with a total of seven parliamentary constituencies well spread from Sondu in Kabondo East to Mfangano Island and covering Gwassi and Ndhiwa district would pose a big challenge to whoever will be elected its governor.
This is where Okundi’s wealth of experience comes in. The common saying is that its other challenges would be how to source extra finances from other external sources not only from Central Government, which will come in the form of an annual grant not exceeding Kshs 3 millions.
Whereas other contestants have been paying extravagantly local musicians to popularize their candidatures. Eng.Okundi is being credited for having created many jobs in his business flagship, the Asego Holdings, which is involved in real estate, cotton ginning and other businesses both locally and in Nairobi. He is also credited of being one of the top Luo business executives and investor.
Okundi’s other credibility, which gives him extra political mileage against his opponents, is that apart from his excellence educational and academic background, he has a love for education. He personally owns a private Ombogo Girls Secondary School in Kochiai West had excelled in last years Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education national exam being placed 95 overall of the 100 schools with the best performance in the whole country.
Okundi is one of the most loyalists’ lieutenants as well as confidants of the ODM party leader and the Prime Minister for Kenya Raila Amolo Odinga. He is a moderate politician who has the interest of all Kenyans at heart and a man committed to the real task of nation building. And that is why he had chosen to revive the hitherto collapse cotton farming in the region when his company acquired the two Cotton Ginneries at Homa-0Bay and at Kendu-Bay through a public auction a couple of years ago. Cotton is one of the most lucrative cash crops, but it was killed by excessive looting through the various primary farmers co-operative societies which did not bothered to pay the farmers their dues.
Okundi’s strength and popularity lies on his ability to win massive support in Western Kasipul Locations of Kodera and Kotieno locations as well as Kachien, and some parts of Western, Central and Southern Karachuonyo locations. This is at the expense of Cyprian Awiti who is an indignant man from the Karachuoyo groups, and who is currently experiencing vehement opposition from within Central, South and Western Karachuonyo. Awiti is, however, popular in Kasipul Kabondo, particularly in Oyugis area,
Residents of Western Karachuonyo have been heard to be secretly calling on Ambassador Lazarus Ombaye Amayo, who is now the head of the EU Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to come forward and take over in the contest of the Homa-Bay County governorship position.
Amayo, however, according to other sources, is still considering himself as a public servant and does not wish to venture into the contest of any elective position at the moment. He is currently the head of the EU Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations.
Awiti is said not to be in good book with the most influential woman in Karachuonyo politics, Dr Mrs Phoebe Muga Asiyo, the former two ties MP for the area, and who hail from the Southern part of the constituency {Kanyaluo} areas. He is also not in good working relations with the incumbent MP for Karachuonyo Eng.James K Rege, whose influence in this most populous constituency matters a lot.
Awiti who is believed to have campaigned for the immediate former Karachuonyo MP Dr.Paul Adhu-Awiti during the 2007 general election against Rege is said not to be on seeing one another on eye to eye basis with the MP. He is also being accused for having sponsored the parallel ODM splinter groups led by former journalist Jack Nduri in flagrant defiance of the repeated party headquarters calls for the harmonization of the branch.
All these conflicts of interests surrounding Awiti’s candidature for the position of governorship is to the advantage of Eng.Okundi
Ends
leooderaomolo@yahoo.com
Well, Mr. Leo, it is right you have highlighted Eng. Okundi’s achievements, which in your own opinion gives him leverage over his competitors. But the one stark reality is this: that Okundi will finish number last in the real contest come 2012. My reasons are varied and diverse. First, his own people in Kochia West location are not with him, leave a lone the greater jokochia. Indeed this makes this great man vulnerable. Second and most prominent is that this man has no network with the youth who are the majority voters. This is the reason why in the last election he resorted to bringing in hired goons from kibera slums in Nairobi to campaign for him at the expense of the local youths who had no time for him. Further, he is accused in his own sub location(kanam) of favouring people from his kwoyo area at the expense of even his own brothers from Ariwa, Ngegu and Godbondo areas. His known close associates cum advisers are eyesore to the people of kochia, as they are the ones who have ensured that certain people do not reach the man for favours, and only their children have ended up benefitting from education sponsorships and employment opprtunities Okundi has dished out. His age though may not be of much significance is seen to be his undoing. He resonates well with the old guard and not the youths. Maybe, he will make amends with the people to make him electable, but at the moment the person on many youths lips is Computer genius Dr. Mark Matunga.
I think it is too early to give Eng Okundi the lead for the position of governer in Homabay . Homabay county governer race will be worn through very well calcuted political moves aligned with politics of numbers and how many people contesting ,. Yes philip can , but remember he boarders Rachuonyo who are potential votes but are known to be wasting votes because of being over ambitious . Believe me Rachuonyo will have 20 candidates thus giving room for Dhiwa and Suba to split the seats in power agreement scheme .please Profesors and Doctors from Rachuonyo , stick to your jobs.
Leo i think you are making so many assumptions about Eng. P. Okundi. I believe he is a great man yes. For the period he was the MP for Rangwe, i dont think his performance would actually give him an easy ride to Governorship. Ask anybody from Rangwe constituency who actually was keen on his performance. Many regions were alarmed over his act of favoritism. I remember listening to some jaduong from Kanyada quoting Engineer as having said that the cake received by Rangwe constituency will be divided according to the voting patterns in the constituency. Do we need such a person as a Governor????
Mr. Leo Odera Omollo, No, let me call you Elder Leo Odera Omollo, I must say you influenced my early life through your books and for that you have my respect. However from your essay above it is obvious you are on the campaign trail for one; Eng. Philip Okundi, which is not bad, what is wrong though is that you are doing so by misrepresenting facts about the other potential candidates. From an elder like you, I expected nothing short of an objective analysis of all the candidates giving both positives and negatives, in your assertion that Okundi is ahead of the pack you have conveniently forgotten to mention some of his shortcomings which unfortunately is in the public domain while you have strived to highlight all the perceived weaknesses real or imagined of his opponents. Elder Leo please be objective in your feature endeavors of a similar nature.
Last time I asked you to keep your ear on the ground in Homa Bay politics. There is a serious new entrant.
Eng Okundi is a good leader, and has a very impressive C.V. especially in the IT field. But hasn’t he served in too many capacities in the government for sooo many years. Having him as governor reeks of recycling old guard.
Besides his record in anything other than IT is very shaky. Why could he get himself reelected in his home constituency?
Kwani of the millions of people in H/Bay county no one can give stiff competition.
Ojuok Ogutu Jakochia i beg to differ with you,everyone is entiltled to her or his opinion but lets not use this forrum to air opinions unsupported by facts,who said that greater KOCHIA is not with mweheshimiwa? I am from Kochia and i am loyal to his leadership and am sure of many more peole who surpport his leadership.
Mweshimiwa is allegend and an advocate of Y.G .He supported many dying schools within Homa Bay county i.e Nyalkinyi,Kuoyo kochia name them,,,,and am very much sure in ur own village he surpported education of more than five youths ,,,,sorry to say so, in ur own homestead am sure U can count benneficiaries of his(JAGEDO) good work ,we youths we are solidly behind JAGEDO so u are wrong again to say he is not networking with youths.About age what we need is transformational change rather than Generical change.One might be be very young and agile but has ideas so Archic while one might be very old but his ideas are very young and fresh.As we all no that the position of GOVENER needs avisionary leader with wealth of expireince in management of public resources
and skills to sollicit founds for development of our county am sure u all no that rangwe was apoliticall accident.I think time has rippen for us to cease cheap politcs on the ground and to discourage SYCOPHACY andDEPENDANCY syndrome .LET THOSE WHO HAVE EYES SEE!!!!!!!!stop critisizing MR,leo odera omollo…..i say KUDOS!!!!!! to the smart ones LEO keep up good work.
Thank you very much for your contribution,but try to think and reason outside your personal benefit,if the people who have benefited from okundi’s goodies are from kochia then you should thank him,remember not everybody benefits from politicians or political leadership,ojuok kindly give me serious and tangible issues thanks.
OKUNDI NOW LEADS THE PACK FROM BEHIND
Even his own Katieno nyolwal clan will not vote 4 him 100%.Okundi enjoys n still does, living in an ivory tower.Let him stay up there n 4get to come down 4 we have no business 4 him.I come 4rom Kochia n I want 2 assure u that this man’s votes are very countable here.Perhaps this is the reason he has been contemplating influencing the division of a section of Kochia to come to Homa bay const. if it ever gets formed.He believes he is safer with Kanyada than with his own Kochia.Woe unto him who runs away 4rom his own pple.Dear OKUNDI the chicken have come to roost,Give us back our ginnery.Leo Odera isnt doing you any favour by describing you as a fellow who hangs onto Railla’s coat.pole mzee.Once failed always a failure haa haa haaaaaaa.
OPEN LETTER TO HON. PHILIP OKOTH OKUNDI(AKA jagedo)
Sir, if you hope to ascend to this seat that means alot to us, so that once again u cn distribute the cake according 2 voting patterns n 2 senior ex chiefs of the county,please give us a break.
Sir,if u r not ready to return our ginnery.A tool that u have used to ensure we remain extremely poor.so that we revive our livelihood thro our cotton then dont wake us up.leave us alone.An indian attempted to revive the industry by offering good pay per kilo.Sir,where did he go?I will remind u the obvious,u frustrated him away.
Good sir,Ombogo academy may be your own school.but the locals n parents who take their children there also have a stake in it.what have u done to its management.All the good teachers ran away some even kids of your liutenants.Tame your kid n take back the management of the school 4 if u fail there, it will only imply that u cant manage anything slightly larger than your small school.
Baba Otieno,the kagan kowino pple r nolonger happy with u.Why?They’ve had enough lies.Remember they have stood by your family ever since it joined politics n started the series of failure.remember ur late bro(may God rest his soul in peace)He was a much better person AAAH, OJIJO MILAMBO WE MISS THIS MAN .They now say, if u donnt convince them that u will not b taking them on anorther long ride then they r not boarding LUORE NYOIRO.Ojijo kept failing because u insisted he had 2 vie on a wrong party 4 fear of antagonising ur bosses of KANU then.u r very patriotic.I WONDER WHERE GOOD SIR, U GOT THE BELLY OF DEFIANCE ALL OF A SUDDEN
Lastly good sir,the county has not spoken,not even Rangwe.This is still ur Kochia pple trying to point out a few crimes against humanity u’r alleged 2 have commited against them in the past.WE NOW SAY:HE WHO DESIRES NEW RESULTS MUST EMPLOY A NEW STRATEGY.for same old way will only give same old undesired results.We are now in a new Homa bay n we have decided that we want to try a new strategy,a new way of politicking without antagonising other sections of the very wide county that is too wide 4 u.WE’VE DECIDED TO GET A YOUTHFUL LEADER N I ONLY HOPE U’LL RESPECT THAT(no we r nt stopping u 4rom vying this is just an opinion)
With all due respect,IF ANYBODY OUT THERE IS LISTENING PLIZ ASK MZEE TO STEP DOWN 4ROM THE ODM ELECTION BOARD B4 HE CREATES MORE MESS N CHAOS WHICH WILL EMBARASS THE PARTY,RAILA N OUR GOOD COUNTY.
PS.Lest u forget,The thugs u brought to campaign 4 u in 2002,raped so many young girls in kochia n injured many esp. around Kaura.We are still crying.
Eng Okundi is the leader to set off the county on the right foot. Leo thanks for being patient & wise enough to recognise the same. As a proud Luo who recognises quality leadership, I will work tirelessly to aid Jagedo’s candidature.
Boy pls spare us the long essay. ur views are at best myopic. Who indeed has the capacity / experience to manage a whole county’s budget! The rest of these guys will be dumbfounded, next thing u know pesa oringo molal… only Jagedo has the xperience & capacity to kickoff the county. after a term others will come & find the structures in place.
Yes, experience, experience, experience. Old experience will not take us anywhere we need men with new ideas, those who are well conversant with emerging issues, we need industrialists coz as a county we have natural resources some of which have collapsed e.g cotton and some still struggling to survivie like groundnuts, pineapple, potatoes e.t.c.We really need industrial revolution.THIS RACE IS YET TO TAKE A NEW SHAPE and if you are not aware, HEART ATTACK!
we need new leaders to carry the day . who is okundi ? those are kanu regime. from kolwal primary and mp to of uriri constituency .
sometimes if you cant think outside the box its better you imagine you are out…and look for ways to get in…lets not rely too much on our leaders, their academic background,their influence….oh! sorry i meant our politicians!this is sad to say but lets do something for the beloved county that… these “politicians will one day stand and say……”nafuata mwananchi” not the reverse…aerou te!
give mr philip okundi another chance he has been in kenya gornment throught his life, he is very much awear of what young genaretion need especialy opening doors creating jobs,bring industries in homa bay county.we need some one who is going to bring development within the county.and improve the living stardand of his fallow county residents,we need new ideas, new technology awearness in the region.and not self style leader which mr philip is not.. my opinion mr philip is okey for the post of governor.
Homa Bay County is going Industrial with Prof. TOM OGADA. If u r still in a sleep continue sleeping. Ninda aninda. Dont u say i didnt mention it. INDUSTRIALIZATION FOR PROSPERITY
Mr. Odera,i salute you as “thuond luo” whose prowess in narrating stories is rather colossus.You wrote so many nice books that nurtured my mind and i believe,thousands of other young people.It however appears that you are using this noble blog to campaign for Eng. Okundi.My issue is the way you dismiss other candidates and heap praises on the good old eng.Can you argue objectively because Homa Bay county does not need people who have experience in civil service or managerial positions but rather people who can deliver.
You have given us all the good side of your choice, all these posts earnined alot but still want to be our governor.Give me a break the man needs to retire.What is left,he was Rangwe Mp what did he do to his constituents.Do not over praise him.Every one of them will say the same thing about Eng. Okundi.
TELL OKUNDI TO RETURN THE GRAB LAND-DR.AGGREY HIGH SCHOOL IN HOMA BAY TOWN WHICH HE GRABBED.
The man was left when he contested Rangwe Constituency,what a change of heart.Is he leading in Rangwe or where.Pls give us abreak with lies.If he is leading why is requesting donation from us bwana. We need to let them battle it out,the man has money how do I donate to him to bribe our old parents to vote for him.He need to use all that huge amount of money he has. Thanks no donation for this man.
Prof. Tom Ogada is seriously in the race.
we dont need old,pride and rich people like OKUNDI to govern the county.Cyprian lack integrity and character in leadership to govern.He understand no diplomacy at all cost.Th4 proff.joseph Akeyo omollo is the best coz is so simple and down to earth.humble and smart.unerstand the real meaning of poverty to the common man.