By Leo Odera Omolo

THE claims made by a group of disgruntled politician in
Ndhiwa constituency, Homa-Bay district claiming that they were rigged out of
ODM Party elections when the party held its grassroots elections last year has
angered party leaders in the area.

According to a report, which appeared in the current edition
of the popular and widely read CITIZEN Weekly, the group which is consisting mosr
of the perennial Ndhiwa parliamentary election losers alleged they were rigged
out of the last party election in favour of the area MP Joshua Orwa Ojode.

The truth, according to a Ndhiwa civic leader, the MP did
not contest any position in the branch elections, there could have been no way,
he {MP} was rigged in.

The group comprises perennial parliamentary election losers
in the names of Mrs Monica Amolo, Ted Odero, Neto Oyugi and Jeremiah Owiti were
beaten hands down by unknown individuals who are allied to the area MP, while
Mr. Ojode was not personally involved and did not contest any branch
elections.. The group, which has announced that its members have already ganged
together to take on Mr. Ojode, according to the civic leader who spoke on condition
of anonymity, are most welcome to come and contest any position in the branch.

The civic leader, however, wondered how the group which
consisted of a bunch of political non-entities could win the ODM branch
election in Ndhiwa while they remained holed in the streets of Nairobi.” These are well known rumour
peddlers and streets vendors in both Nairobi and
Kisumu Cities. They will find it an up-hill
task to make any major political inroads in Ndhiwa. “Ours is a rural
constituency whose residents are farmers, and these are the bulk of party
followers. But some of the group which has ganged up are mysterious characters
and conmen roaming the streets of Kisumu and Nairobi.

“We don’t have room for rumour-mongers to gain any position
of leadership in our party branch, and we shall only vote in for the credible
individual personalities who are ready to work hand in hand with our elected MP
to promote development in the area, though it is the constitutional rights of
every party members to contest any elective posts within the party, such people
or individuals must have clean track
record of active participation in the promotion of ODM activities in Ndhiwa and
elsewhere. Let them know pretty well that Ndhiwa is not the playing ground for
every Tom, Dick and Harry.with no credibility to walk in and win ODM post without having sweat for it.”

Reached for comment, Mr. Ojode whjo is an Assistant Minister
in the Office of the President in-charge of Internal Security and Provincial
Administration scoffed at his critics. He said the group wanted to use him a
punching bag, and yet he hold no position in the ODM branch in Ndhiwa. They
should direct their criticism against the right people are currently holding
positions in ODM’s branch in Ndhiwa. As for parliamentary elections, he said
there is still four more years to go, and people with parliamentary ambition
should the incumbent chances and the opportunities to serve the electorate
effectively.”When the time comes, everyone will be given an opportunity to sell
his or her policy to the electorate . But there is no point in making all the
time election times. The Wananchi needs the service delivery, but not empty
political ,slogans, said the Assistant Minister.

Ojode reminded the group of a big Harambee fund raising which
was held in Ndhiwa last month in which more than Kshs 4 million was raised. The
money will go towards the various economic and social development projects. The
Chief guest was the Land and Settlement Minister James Aggrey Orengo and the
guest of honour was the Minister for Agriculture William Ruto and the Country
Director of Marie Stope Clinics Cyprian Otieno Awiti.. None of the four big
talkers who wanted to lead ODM in Ndhiwa showed up during the Harambee and the
Assistant Minister wondered how such people wouild convince the party followers
to elect them in any position in the branch by issuing misleading and malicious
statements from the city streets.

It is imperative to note that during the last general
election Mr. Ojode polled 42,000 votes against the paltry votes of 8,000
garnered by Mrs Monica Amolo therefore the question of her being rigged out is
a matter of public conjecture. Mr Owiti and Mr. Neto while Mr. Ted Odero did not even contested
the primaries, but had turned to be a youth winger for another candidate Mr.
Dennis Orero who performesd dismally during the primaries.

If these are the
character of people who can have a gut and tell the press that they were rigged
out, then the word rigging remain a
phantom,” said Ojode.

Ndhiwa MP, however, said he would welcome anybody with the
agenda to help him built the area and making a hub of economic and agricultural
activities in the greater Southern Nyanza
region.”Let all those with development agenda come forward so that we could
work together for the mutual benefit of our people, he said.

Ends

leooderaomoloQ@yahoo.com

– – –
Date: Tue, 16 Sep 2008 02:17:40 -0700 (PDT)
From: Leo Odera Omolo
Subject: ODM LEADERS IN NDHIWA IRKED BY CLAIMS BY A GROUP OF DISGRUNTLED BUSH POLITICIANS THAT THEY WERE RIGGED.