Commentary By Leo Odera Omolo

FOR along times, there has been a persistent but always ignored complaint about the alleged imposition of leaders upon the people in Luo-Nyanza and on several occasions the Prime Minister Raila Odinga has had to fend off this kind of accusations in many forums.

Political pundits, observers and commentators as well as opinion shapers have written many articles in the local media critical of the practice.

It is evidently clear that many level minded Luos are vehemently opposed to the practice, saying it makes nonsense of the claim of democracy and robs them of their of their democratic right to get leaders of their choice .It is indeed, a total mockery to the essence of democratic principles.

Imposed leaders have not turned out to be the leaders that the people deserve and they often failed to deliver to their constituents because thy owe allegiance to the “Big Man”.

The anger and to frustration witnessed in Nyakach, Rangwe, Rongo, Kasipul-Kabondo constituencies in the 2007 elections bear testimony to this fact ad could be a pointer to the kind of practice to expect in 2012 should this undemocratic practice continue.

Mbita people were not left behind in the wake of an attempt to influence their choice of an MP in the coming general elections, as was witnessed in Rusinga Island last Sunday.

The battle for Mbita Constituency seat pitting Hon Milly Odhiambo and Phares Ogweno Ratego, amongst many other has taken a new dimension which could have serious ramifications in the year 2012 in politics of Luo-Nyanza and the larger Kenya as a whole.

The apparent endorsement of Milly Odhiambo by Mama Ida Odinga before a mammoth crowd during the burial of the former Kenyan envoy to the UN Ambassador Michael George Okeyo in Rusinga Island last Sunday was the clearest indication that the old habits die hard and that the PM may have not take the people’s wish not to meddle with the local political contests seriously.

Raila Odinga’s speech and demeanor did not allay fear that he was up to what his Mama Ida Odinga did. Perhaps it was a coincidence that he planned to give civic education on gender issues and the need to allow the women equal opportunity to compete for elective public offices in order to meet the new constitutional requirements.

Odinga told the thousands of mourners that women have suffer from lack of a level of playing field since they compete for positions where they are married {as foreigners} against me who have the advantage of having all their relatives and childhood and friends in the area.

The immediate reaction from the people of Mbita was very interesting and could be a pointer to how people are ready to cling to their right to determine their future political destiny.

The majority of Mbita residents this writ talked with were of the opinion that this coming election is not like the others the past. It is about the future of their children; It is about uplifting of their living condition-which has been degraded seriously in the recent past

It is about addressing the abject poverty which has ravaged and eaten away heir human dignity. Though they all agreed that progress infrastructural development has taken place, the aspect of the household level economic well being has bee grossly neglected. As a result a very large percentage of the population has not no food to put on their tables; they cannot treat sick; they cannot afford a decent burial of the departed beloved ones.

Kenyans are sick and tired of begging. They want to stand up and do something meaningful and gainful for themselves and their family. They want to re- claim back their dignity and lost glory of the past, which have been ripped off from them.

To achieve their objective, the people feel they must be responsible for choosing their leaders. Kenyans, the Luos included are not ready to surrender this noble responsibility to someone else.

The Wananchi want leaders who will be answerable to them and not someone up there in the system who is unaware of their local problems.

The people Mbita constituency have expressed the wish that they want interrogate their own sons, wives and daughters themselves.

Majority of people I talked were very much concerned that the PM has rushed to point for them a leader even before Mbita people begin to examine the CVs of those offering themselves for the position of leadership!! Their fear was even made worse when they remembered that the PM intervened last elections and denied them the opportunity to chose between two strong candidate Otieno Kajwang’ and Sammy Wakiaga.

This time round, their battle royal is shaping up between Milly Odhambo ,the Nominated MP and Phares Ogweno Ratego, the two strong candidates who are well known to the electorates.

Milly is very sharp and strong and strong personality with a wagging tongue for political battle. She has proved to be very good debater in parliament over the last four and half years or so she has been a nominated MP. Her strength lies in her combative nature and willingness to aggressively her opponents. That is why the PM told the thousands of mourners in Rusinga Island last week that she was nominated to counterbalance the Martha Karua factor in Parliament, being a woman like Martha Karua, complete with aggressiveness.

The observers and political pundits alike say that Milly Odhiambo’s emotional nature maker her loose her cool during debate debates, a factor makes her stray into trivialities more than substance. Despite of her acknowledged good performance in the August House, Mbita people say she failed to connect with the constituents during the last four years and never made any effort to participate in development activities with the constituency. It was like if she never thought she would come back to ask for their votes,

Perhaps a more accurate way to see it is that development is not her strong area. It is natural that God may not endow one person with all the qualities, and development is one quality that God did not bless her with.

On the other hand her opponent in the impending contest race for Mbita seat Phares Ogweno Ratego is a development expert with a long experience in development activities, having worked with an international development agency for over decade.

Ratego is reported to have majored and acquired Master’s degree in Development Finance in Birmingham University in the UK and has since been involved in development, working with Development Finance Company of Kenya before joining USAID as its top office in charge of project development designing and management. His keen interest in development as the driving behind the formation of Mbita Professional Caucus in 2003,which has been credited for with many projects initiated jointly with the area MP Otieno Kajwng’ from 2003 to-date,

Ratego has been working hand in hand with the MP ever since 2003 starting 22 new secondary schools in the area and a host of others other projects. He is also responsible for several of the USAID projects in Nyanza, especially those supporting fishermen in Lake Victoria including Mbita Ice Plant, Horticulture farming, Poultry, Savings and Credits Society {FOSA} and many others.

However, at a personal level, Ratego is seen as too much of a diplomat and a Christian something which does not excite some people very much. Such people think that a politician must be a little crocked, someone who is ever ready to cheat and murder, if he has to.

To them Ratego, says too much honesty and straightforwardness is no their cup of tea.

However, many people think that from 2012 onwards people will need leadership which can foster development. The era of empty political slogans and political bull –fighting is receding fast behind us under the new constitutional dispensation. Also gone for good are the era of hero worshiping. The new constitution has divided the country into 47 Counties, which are going to compete as economic units, trading with each other.

The Counties governments will work closely with future MPs to undertake development in their respective constituencies.

In this context the person that should be at the front must now have a good grasp and excellent record of development not a pure politician without any knowledge of what development is all about.

This time around counties and by extension, constituencies will have to push hard their development agenda, otherwise they will be left behind and remain slaves to the other rich counties.

The criteria for choosing leadership has therefore taken 360 degree turn it is no longer business as usual-pure and applied politics like before.

This is the point Ratego’s CV becomes more suitable for the job than that of his opponents. But as one resident prophetically said” Mbita people would therefore be happy to be left alone to decide who can best deliver them out of quagmire of abject poverty.

Ends