From: JEFF
Date: Jul 24, 2009 2:18 AM
Subject: KISUMU TOWN EAST MP HECKLED

KISUMU TOWN EAST MP HECKLED

BY JEFF OTIENO

Kisumu Town East Legislator Shakeel Ahmed Shabir met the wrath of voters when he was heckled in his own back yard by an enthusiastic crowd which had lined up to receive the Prime Minister Raila Odinga in Kondele.

The Mp who could be seen nodding his head in disbelief were a group of leaders who had camped the better part of the day right at the airport ready to give the PM a rousing welcome.

During his last stop over in Kondele the PM introduced all the MPs and ministers in his entourage but when he gave a microphone to Shakeel, he was badly heckled and told unprintable words by the mammoth crowd to the disbelief of the Prime Minister who happens to be his political mentor.

Sources with the ODM ranks confided to this writer that Shakeel political woos has been sparked by an unsustainable election pledge where he promised the voters that half of his salary will go directly to his constituents and to date nothing has come forth.

He’s again being accused of arrogance, elusiveness and devising ivory approach to crucial political issues bedevelling his voters when he’s needed.

Back to the prime ministers reception at the airport, it was a low keyed affair in terms of high ranked to government officials who usually grace and take charge of such occasions.

Only the area OCPD Solomon Kiragu and the kisumu Town East DO 1 were the only high ranking officials to receive the Prime Minister.

Despite the well laid red carpet right from the runway up to the VIP lounge, the apparently happy Raila Odinga questioned the absence of the PC, PPO and DC according to an MP who requested for anonymity.

Interestingly, the newly appointed PC was one hour later seen wining and dining with some State House mandarins in a local Hotel. They were later joined for dinner by Nyando MP Fred Outa.

At the airport to receive the Prime Minister were local religious leaders, MPs Fred Outa Of Nyando, Professor Ayiecho Olweny of Muhoroni, John Olago Aluoch of Kisumu Town West, Jakoyo Midiwo of Gem and Shakeel Shabir Kisumu Town East.

Public Service Minister Dalmas otieno Anyango and Fisheries Minister Paul Otuoma arrived with the Prime Minister in his Military Chopper.

Enroute to the town centre, Raila made four stopovers in a bid to prepare ground for president Mwai Kibaki.

He told the Nyanza residents to be patient and hopeful saying elaborate development was underway mentioning the expansion Kisumu airport and the construction of some of the once dilapidated roads as some of the beckoning goodies.

About the prevailing debate of how the region has shared the “ half loaf bread” th PM dismissed the critics as malicious and none starters who had sinister motives to derail his political ambitions.

Nairobi based advocates George onyango Oloo and Ambrose Weda have been leading an onslaught against the PMs way of governance mostly in rural funerals trying to discredit him of how badly he has dished the few government slots allegedly to his cronies and relatives.

Close Raila Odinga pointmen who aggressively campaigned and fought for him at the hour of need have allegedely been sidelined according to political pundits.

They are Malindi based hotelier Otiende Rateng, Mombasa based business magnet Polycap Ocholla, Dave Okwach former nominated councilor, Nairobi business man John Obura Dimo, Samwel Ntere, former detainee olak Diego and the once wealthy but now financially crippled, Mombasa businessman Awiti Habo.

Habo was one of the PM financiers and close ally during the last elections but is now walking a tight rope financially depending on a paltry KSH 50,000 in terms of allowances he gets at KICC as one of the board members but only when the board sits which critics argue is not commensurate to his status and support he gave.

On the controversial Migingo Island , Raila was compelled to address the issue by the crowd in Kondele but he was a little cautious and diplomatic saying that it was a small mis-understanding between the two countries which will soon be resolved.

END