By JEEF OTIENO IN KISUMU

Ndhiwa member of parliament who is also an assistant minister for internal security Joshua Orwa Ojode has dismissed claims in a section of the press that his political graph was fast diminishing ahead of the forthcoming Orange Democratic Movement party’s (ODM) grassroots elections.

“I have no time exchanging in the press with political novices operating on the streets of Nairobi, whoever wants to gauge my political might should wait until 2012,” he thundered on telephone.

A group which he described as amorphous has been engaging the MP in endless press battles at the expense of his Ndhiwa voters.

Mr Ojode caused laughter during a recent colourful fundraiser in aid of three churches where a staggering Kshs 4 million was raised with his personal donation of Ksh1.2 million.

“Where are these paper tigers now that we are fundraising,” he gloated amid laughter from the crowd.

In an interesting turn of events Ojode’s rival Mr Ted Odero who unsuccessfully contested for the Ndhiwa seat in the last elections threw his weight behind the minister.

“The people of Ndhiwa are tired of political rhetoric’s let us rally behind Ojode for development during his tenure,” Mr Odero said during a separate telephone interview.

Meanwhile, a Nairobi based communication expert Eng Job Ndege over the weekend helped to raise Ksh100,000 in aid of Manyatta Baptist Church.

Ndege who is the General Manger of ALSAT Company Limited gave a personal donation of Ksh25,000. During the occasion the Eng appealed to the local MP Shakeel Shabir to fulfill his last general election pledges if he is a ‘gentleman’

On education, he urged the community to shun girl child abuse which is rampant in the area adding that he will team with other development partners to facilitate on sensitization to eradicate the negative trend.

ENDS

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Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2008 02:17:55 -0700 (PDT)
From: JEFF
Subject: MINISTER SCOFFS AT PRESS REPORTS