THE PROPOSAL TO SPLIT NYANZA INTO TWO PROVINCES HAS GENERATED A LOT OF CONTROVERSIES.
News Analysis By Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City
Residents of Luo-Nyanza, especially those living in the old greater Southern Nyanza appear to have wholeheartedly welcomed the recent proposal by the government to have Nyanza, one of the most populous regions in Kenya, split into two administrative Provinces, we can now authoritatively report..
A cross section of people interviewed over the weekend were of the opinion that the time was very much ripe for such an exercise. They said the split would bring the administration and governance closer to the people, terming those opposed to the idea as self-seekers serving the interest of an individual but with no people’s aspirations.
A group of civic leaders in Nyatike,Migori,Ndhiwa and Rongo even called for a referendum to determine the people’s wish on the issue. “At the present, our people seeking government services at the Provincial levels are made to travel for more than 200 kilometers to Kisumu in order to get such services” said one leader.
The civic leaders also opined that the splitting of Southern Nyanza region, having close to twenty five administrative districts, covering Kisii,Kuria and Luo regions is long overdue. The Gusii region has 13 districts followed by South Nyanza with ten districts and two extra districts in Kuria region, namely East and West Kuria district.
“We don’t mind being grouped in one Province with our neighbors Abagusii and Kuria communities in one Province with its headquarters to be located either in Kisii town or Rongo Town. After all we were living under one district during the colonial period, which was known as South Nyanza.”, said one civic leader in Homa-Bay who requested his anonymity.
The civic leaders have cited frustration the residents were facing, particularly those who are forced to travel from far flunk places like Mfangano Island, Gwassi, Kadem, Muhuru Bay and Kuria to Kisumu for urgent administrative matters.
Other reasons being advanced by the supporters of the split include frustration the Luos from Southern Nyanza are said to be getting from their cousins from the old Central Nyanza region. The region covering Siaya, Kisumu, Bondo,Ugenya,and Nyando district are very close to the Provincial headquarters in Kisumu.
It is being alleged that the Southern Nyanza Luos are being frustrated under the leadership of the Prime Minister Raila Odinga and the ODM.
The demand for the separation of Southern Nyanza Luos from their cousins in the old Central Nyanza was invigorated by a terse SMS message allegedly posted by a Nairobi based Luo lawyer. The message seriously blamed Raila Odinga for practicing discrimination against the Southern Nyanza Luos in the allocation of plum government and parastatal jobs.
The SMS message received across the entire length and breadth of Luo-Nyanza listed 21 people said to have been appointed in top government and parastatal organizations as having come from Raila Odinga’s home turf of Bondo district, leaving the rest of Luoland with only two of these new appointments. It questioned the rationale of the solidarity and unity of Luos.
Digesting the contents of the SMS message, it emerged that out of the ten administrative districts, only Mr. Karoli Omondi Ocholla Gaa, a young technocrat from Gwassi constituency, who is serving as Raila Odinga personal assistant, is the only individual person who got a job in the grand Coalition government of ODM and PNU.
Karoli had contested the year 2007 general election on ODM ticket, but lost the election in the preliminary stage to the incumbent John Mbadi. Rumor making the round is that he is the landlord. who owns the Orange House, which is hosting the ODM secretariat.
It is further being alleged that Mr. Karoli Omondi, a weel to do former banker, is also the owner of Raila Odinga Centre in Upper Hill, where “the Agwambo” had established his campaign headquarters during the 2007 presidential election campaign, and as such Karoli’s appointment could have been influenced by their intimate relationship.
Raila’s own two sister have secured plum government jobs. One is a board member in one of the parastatals, while his elder sister Dr.Wenwa Akinyi has clinched the Consulate General in Los Angels, USA.
But those privy to the SMS information said the man whose name is featuring in the latest SMS is Mr Hesbone Mariwa Dulo, a resident of Rarieda district. He is a former banker who hails from Asembo and has been appointed the chairman of the Agricultural Finance Corporation {AFC}.
Out of four or more Permanent Secretaries from Luo Nyanza who are serving in the grand coalition government, majority hail from Bondo and Siaya. They are technically all related to the Odingas in one way or the other.
Luo MPs close to Mr. Odinga are being blamed for apathy approach to development activities in Luo-Nyanza and lack of sensitivities to important issues affecting the community. The MPs stand blamed for not advising the Prime Minister adequately on burning issues affecting the community. One such issues is the conspiracy and scandals involving the 10,000 acres nucleus estate farm belonging to Miwani Sugar Mills Company.
Miwani Sugar Mills Company went burst close to ten years ago, and chances of its revival is growing remotely by days. A cartel of wealthy Indian entrepreneurs are currently involved in an expensive legal tussle, seeking judiciary approval to have the farm handed to them under suspicious transactions. Other alleged plans hutched by the cartel is to get the Miwani estate farm leased to them for forty years. If the exercise is carried out, this could be the death nail placed on the coffin of Miwani Sugar Company.
The Miwani farm scandal is even worse than the Goldenberg or Anglo leasing. But the Luo MPs are keeping mum., giving credence to allegations of being compromised. Some of the ODM cabinet Ministers, it is further being alleged, are frequenting the homes and offices of the Asian group that want to acquire Miwani farm corruptively.
Some of the MPs and Minister included have gone silent. Even the usually outspoken and eloquent Muhoroni MP Patrick Ayiecho Olueny, in whose constituency Miwani Sugar Mills is located has gone quiet, though his constituents are the sufferers.
One such MP, it is even being alleged has been promised 2,000 acres free of charge if he helps the cartel to change the status of the farm to themselves. .The indigenous people of Kano plains who owned the land before it was grabbed and handed over to the Sugar firm investors by the colonialists in the mid 1920 have vowed to fight back by all means at their disposal if the need be. They want Miwani revived or sold to other investors who can resuscitate the mill and have it back into production so that their youth can get employment.
Luo MPs have surprisingly gone silent over the Miwani affairs, leaving room for dreadful rumors and speculations that most of them have been compromised, while the Asians have been heard bragging how they have pocketed every one and sundry. Other rumors making the round have it that except for the Prime Minister Raila Odinga and his elder brother Dr. Oburu Oginga, the Bondo MP who is also an Assistant Minister for Finance, all the other Luo Mps have been compromised.
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If the Luo MPs could speak the loudest in Parliament about the Grand Regency Hotel saga, why are they so silent over the Miwani farm scandal? Miwani is wholly owned by the government and all efforts have been put in place to frustrate its privatization. The present crop of Luo MPs will be judged harshly by the future generation if they let Miwani farm go.
ENDS
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Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 02:42:52 -0700 (PDT)
From: Leo Odera Omolo
Subject: SOUTH NYANZA LUOS IN FAVOUR OF SPLIT OF NYANZA POROVINCE INTO TWO
It is very strange that people of Leo Odero Omollo calibre can
fall to political scheme of mt.kenya mafia political manoevres to
protray Raila as sectionist politician.In luoland,raila distributed ministrial posts to all areas in kenya where ODM had support
including Great South Nyanza.All of senior appointments in the
government is well known to be done by President with the
recommedition of ministers and chief secretary.This has been
a problem which is bothering odm people who want 50 50 share.
Cunningly,the mt.kenya political schemes have been distributing
these appointments to undermine raila politics within odm members by refusing to share these governments equally.The
little that give out infact is meant to destroy raila’s political
bases.The appointment of raila’s is an example of the scheme
being practice by mt.kenya mafia.Dr.WENWA is more than qualified the job.Dr. Wenwa is one of few scientist professor in our UNIVERSITY.If it was appointment of good faith,she is fit to
be ambassador.These Jaramogi’s children have been sidelined by
previous governments because of their father was an oppositionist who fought for reforms to allow kenyans be free
and to enjoy real democracy.Despite all frustrations,Odinga’s children got sound education which allowed them to get employment in foreign land.Let them enjoy this time after suffering for over 40years. Why are jealous mr. odera with owenwa’s appoimtment?
The plit of provinces should be done on merit not fall to
kikuyu’s scheme of getting some Rift Valley ‘s land as their
province.No tribe should scheme to dominate others if
one a peaceful country. In fact Leo you seem to be advancing
the plan of mt.kenya mafia.When the time comes the great south nyanza minus kisii districts should have its own jimbo.
The great south nyanza can make its headquarter at Homabayi
or migori. As old journalist,luos are expecting to be focus when
dealing with political schemers who have been scheming all
along how to underdeveloping luoland.
Recent appointment of Mariwa was done by Tuju’s influence
who is still favoured by kibaki when it comes to appointment
of any luo in the senior positions.Tuju is still being used by
gema mafia inorder to disorganise raila in luoland.In any case
most of these appointees are not helping their tribesmen. We
all pray for a day when kenyans will be appointed on merits
inorder to serve kenyans without favour.In fact,senior government appointees from other parts of kenya ,save the
ones from mt.kenya,are helping their immediate familes and
people from gema.
There is one thing which great south nyanza should ask the
kibaki government to provide is a university. The south nyanza
should organise a visit to Kibaki for request of granting a university in rememberance of Tom MBOYA.Please organise
and mobilise elders and leaders to ask for this favour. Let the
name of proposed university be TOM MBOYA UNIVERSITY. GO
ON AND MAKE THIS SOUTH NYANZA AGENDA NEXT MONTH INSTEAD OF DIVIDING ODM FOR SOMETHING LITTLE.As an
old friend,i expect you to remain positive inorder to help
young people know the political trend in luoland in relation to
other regions in kenya.
For the case of Miwani ,i support your analysis a hundred percent.Our leaders are leting us down. It is a well known
fact that asians in this region are always bribing political leaders
inorder to undermine our economic developments.The miwani
case is very sad indeed because no elected political leaders is ready to talk about it. The provincial administration in nyanza
is using asians in this place as source of gold.All leaders including
raila are shying away from miwani case.The kano,kajulu ,and nandi whose land were taking without any payment are crying
without any leader to come for their rescure.
When the leasehold of this land expired after 99 years,the asians
occupied this land conspired with the provincial administration and ministry of land officials to extending the lease years for another 999 years without the consent of former owners. This is
theft and minister Orengo should investigate this fraud. For the
case of factory and its land,we expect the government to explain to us why it suspended the sale after the auction.
The treasury should inform us the reason behind the suspension.
A s stockholder,the government is suppose to inform us accordingly before depending on rumour which is always confusing.The lease years of this firm also expired over ten years and the government should negotiate with stakeholder
from kano kajulu and nandi.
What are these services that need to be handled at the provincial level? Is there a way that they can be done at an existing local level? This is how we should be thinking…not creating more administrative divisions that end up sucking public money.
Perhaps Leo could elaborate on the services that can only be accessed from Kisumu. From my limited experience most issues are dealt with at the District and Dvisional level. Issues such as health, land and schools are usually dealt with at the District and Dvisional level. It easy to keep asking for new administrative boundaries but one must not forget that it is the taxpayer who ends up footing the bill for more bureaucrats and the appurtenant infrastructure. I must also say that Leo seems not to know that it utmost 1 and half hours to travel from Mbita to Kisumu using the Kisumu – Lwanda Kotieno road and followed by a crossing of the channel to Mbita. Once again a quick background research could have easily availed such information to Leo.
What is this frustration that people from South Nyanza are feeling? If any South Nyanza politician feels frustrated by the PM then they should quickly challenge the PM for ODM leadership or resign from ODM, form another political party and seek a fresh mandate from the people. Surely if the people of South Nyanza feel so frustrated then I am sure they will abandon ODM and vote for a party that champions their interests.
Some comment on appointmenta. Mr Caroli Omondi is the Permanent Secretary Administration in the PMs office and not the PM’s personal assistant. Again a quick check at parrot Mutua’s website or the PM’s website could have indicated that. I am from Gwassi and I couldn’t care less if no Suba person was appointed to a position by the PM. I did not vote for the PM so that he could give me, my relative or a fellow from my ethnic group, the Abasuba (READ NOT Luo Basuba, there is no such ethnic group, it’s Abasuba period!) to a government job. I can ask the PM to create an enabling environment for private enterprise to thrive. There is nothing as liberating as being in charge of one’s destiny e.g. by running your own business. We must stop this silly habit of happing on and on over how people from some regions have not been appointed to whatever position. Onyango Oloo and his sidekick Leo Odero Omolo and to a limted extent Orwa Ojode acheni hii porojo yenu.
Getting government services close to the people is highly wellcome and a South Nyanza region with headqaueters somewhere between Rongo, Asumbi, Dhiwa, is a great idea. Towns like Kisii, Rongo, Migori, Mbita, Sori and Homabay would still thrive as commercial centers.
I also agree with the opinion that with access to water, electricity and a good road network, the SONY people can do without government appointments. Let them form a mega-investment group and harness the abundantly avaialable resources in SONY through fishing, agro-industry and tourism. This region lies right at the heart of East Africa and its peple, with an economic base can pull strings with or without politicians.
An International Sony University with a Tom Mboya campus(I like to always remember this great son of SONY), Oyugi Ogango campus(this man would have done his best to ensure the wish for a SONY university is granted), Paul Mboya campus. A campus in every district would not be a bad idea with my kinsmen also having a university next door going by the name Nyamgodho campus.
All these we are writing here would be thoroughly debated, researched and documented in the SONY campuses.
A duplication of the same in Central Nyanza(CENY) through Maseno which should have a Jaramogi Odinga instutute of some serious studies, and Tanzania Nyanza would make Nyanza a real heart of East Africa.
Let us dream S
By the way a study of the late Tom Mboya, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and Hezekiah Oyugi by people like Karoli, Raila and those in public offices would
really help the people of Nyanza.
Granted, the departed luo patriachs could have shortcomings just like Moses during the Exodus but they went out of their way to uplift the region. Remember the scholarships to USA and USSR in the 1960s.
Surely, scholarships to India, Israel, Japan, China for our brothers and sisters to go and study medicine, engineering, ICT and electronics in India, cannot defeat Raila or Karoli to get.
It has not been a secret that for over 20 years, our brothers and sisters have been excluded and few get to study medicine, engineering and other highly marketable courses throug state resources.
For those who have struggled to make it in studies, many resort to be economic refugees in other countries and others who are patriotic enough to brave harsh conditions at home, you get a politician here or a technocrat there frustrating their efforts. Whoever told our people that those who are successfull in their careers are political threats must have been schooled in hell.
Politicians and ‘technocrats’ from Nyanza, let the devil be defeated, turn your ways and let your kinsmen thrive. You never know, their tears would make you slip and have a fatal fall. The more the tears the more fatal the fall would be.
Raila thinks that South Nyanzans are not qualified enough to lead. Let him wait. We are going to decampaign him properly in 2012. Luos are tired of sectarian and tyrranical leadership of the Odinga family. They are so selfish..South Nyanzanians, lets wake up!
This is an old a fair but i think its not provoince its decentralizing servicrs to the regions and locals, that will spur local growth and services.I loce Leo Odera Omollo – LOO, This man has it all knowledge and history of the luo and regions of the coutry, i would like to get in touch with this man if anhy one could connect me with him i will be great fiull, jaluo caqn u help?
Bziegnew Mugogo
Karachuonyo
Odhethe Karachuonyo—Leo Odera Omollo is some one i need to meet he is an asset with knowledge in the region, i would like to meet this great man of the soils of Nyanza,
Can some of help?
Bziegnew Mugogo
Karachuonyo – Kendu Bay
We need aproper University and technical Collages, all other areas are moving a head and our South Nyanza are left behind in all front of developments. Our province is the only province in the Counry that has a unique name with out foreign sentiments, i mean its Nyanza or Kavirondo, u cant beat this! my suggestion is that one of the county in this province has to change its name to the original Nyanza or Kavirondo Conty(s)
our leaders have let us down, unless we discard all of them we will be where we r till 2050