Written By Jack Nduri,
Forwarded by Leo Odera Omolo

KARACHUONYO ODM supremo, Mr. Jack Nduri, is set to recapture his seat with ease during the forth coming party grassroots polls following new developments that puts incumbent MP, Eng. James Rege in awkward position.

The pull out from the ODM race by Rege’s preferred candidate, Mr. Ezra Odondi Opar, he of the Kendu Bay Big Five fame- has seriously punctured the MP’s vision in party and future leadership of the constituency.

Even with the backlash, sacked Marie Stopes Kenya Director, Mr. Cyprian Awiti is steadily edging towards Rege in a bid to revenge against the all powerful and youthful Nduri for disowning him in his quest for governorship at the Homa Bay County.

Cyprian whose popularity has waned steadily over the years is said to have lost grounds to an extent he cannot even garner 40 percent of voters in his own Kobuya Location. Instead statistics show that his arch rival Mr. Hippo Komutho has confined him to his own clan where he is also reeling from rejection for failing to assist or even employ his close relatives during his stint in different portfolios.

Indications are that all those who had been lined up by the MP to challenge Nduri for the chair during the abortive elections in May this year have all dropped their ambitions and it is not clear who the MP and his new found comrade Cyprian would front.

Other than Opar who has ditched politics to concentrate in his family and business another perennial loser who had been lined up by the MP to quash Nduri’s chances of retaining the seat – a Mr. George Rachuonyo – whose roots can be traced to Karungu in Nyatike District has also quit the race giving flimsy reasons.

However a contented Nduri last weekend met ODM delegates drawn from all the 22 Locations in Karachuonyo and who confirmed their willingness to back him for the post of constituency chairman.

The delegates expressed their confidence on Mr. Nduri’s leadership saying the youthful leader had transformed party leadership in the constituency under “extremely” difficult circumstances.

They dismissed those spreading falsehood on Nduri’s political standing as idlers and self seekers whose tactics were ancient and would not deter the constituents from re-electing Nduri. They said no amount of intimidation or propaganda would dent Nduri’s image as his unrivalled contribution to the development of ODM in Karachuonyo speaks for itself.

Our investigations have established that a number of big wigs from Karachuonyo among them Dr. Adhu Awiti, Mr. Donny Opar, Mr. Adipo Okuome, Mr. John Abila, Dr. Vincent Orinda, trade unionist Bolo Awach, former MP Dr. (Mrs.) Phoebe Asiyo and Mombasa businessman Mr. Hezron Awiti (HABO) are working closely with Nduri in the wake of a combined opposition from Rege and Cyprian.

Nduri whose network of friends surpasses the boundaries of Karachuonyo also enjoy the support of influential Luo personalities in the civil service and private sector who have quietly been prodding his back during times of difficulties.

Incidentally Nduri who is a renowned journalist and philanthropist won the party chairmanship position against Rege’s then preferred candidate Mr. Samson Oyala and without the support from Cyprian.

His twin NGOs, Rachuonyo Development and Relief Project and Kenya Youth Sports Initiative is currently awash with resources which he carefully uses to roll out development programs in the constituency, working with Youths and Women groups in areas of sports, environment and health.

A close look at the unfolding developments in Karachuonyo shows that even Rege himself is not in a hurry to embrace Cyprian following his waning popularity in both Karachuonyo and Kasipul Kabondo which are his home constituencies.

Rege is instead working closely with Rangwe MP Martin Otieno Ogindo who is also eying the Homa Bay Governor’s seat.

According to leaders and residents of Karachuonyo the former Marie Stopes boss has resorted to fighting Nduri in Kadwet at the expense of his wider ambition of becoming governor of Homa Bay.

“ He has instead resorted to fighting Nduri in Karachuonyo…he uses a few disgruntled political cohorts to send defamatory text messages about Nduri and those perceived to be his critics but we will remain focused on party development. If anything Cyprian has not even joined ODM either as ordinary or life member as you can confirm from Orange House. For as long as he still associates with Eldoret North MP William Ruto and Riaga Ogallo, he is wasting time, “said former Councilor Obel Ogindo.

Among the leading lights in the contest for governorship in Homa Bay are ODM Elections Board chairman Eng. Philip Okundi, Microsoft boss Mark Matunga, Career parastatal chief Agutu Jakorayo and University Don Prof. Akeyo Omolo.

The battle between Nduri and Cyprian has effectively diverted attention from the normal politics, giving Rege a lease of life and it is said Rege enjoys every bit of it as it is widely believed Cyprian has been behind all his political troubles.

It is said the MP has mentioned in many foras that he was ready to lose his parliamentary seat as an independent individual that to sink with Cyprian.