Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Awendo Town.

The Lucrative and most powerful position within the new regional governance set up under the new constitution dispensation has attracted one of the top and controversial intellectuals in academic fraternity in Kenya in general and Luo-Nyanza in particular.

Prof. Edward Akong’o Oyugi, whose radicalism and political activities gave sleepless nights to the retired former President Daniel Arap Moi in the 1980s and early 1990s, has declared his interest in the Migori County governor.

His declarations of the intention to run for the County governor has already sent shock-waves on the spine code of other hopeful taking into account his many years of steadfast and consistency in the struggle for the rule of justice and democracy in Kenya.

Aged 68 and married with one son and two daughters – – all grown up – – Prof Akong’o Oyugi, who had early in the 1980s teamed up with other radical groups which gave sleepless nights to the retired former President Daniel Arap Moi, earning him several arrests and detentions by the authorities under KANU monolithic one party system.

Prof Akong’o Oyugi came to the fame in early 1980s when he joined hands with the group of radical politicians of politicians who were demanding for the re-introduction of pluralism system of government in Kenya as opposed to the dictatorial and autocratic one party system under KANU regime.

He was arrested by KANU regime along with other radicals who included Maina Wa Kenyatti, Kamoji Wachira, Al Amin Mazrui, Katama Mkangi, Dr Willy Mutunga {now Kenya’s Chief Justice}Raila Odinga,Georg Moseti Anyona,Vincent Otieno Makonyango,Koigi Wamwere, John Khaminwa, and Mukari Ng’ang’a.

Prof Akong’o Oyugi’s tribulation took place between 1982 ND 1995. He was later released from detention, but after failing to get a job for two years, he fled the country and went into exile in Germany where he secured a teaching job at the University of Bayreuth {1986-1988}.

Upon his return home, he was re-hired as a senior lecturer at Kenyatta University, but within only two years Moi’s hawk-eyed police sleuths were on his neck once again. He was re-arrested in 1990, once more with the late George Moseti Anyona,Ngotho Kariuki and Njeru Kathanga. They were prosecuted and each jailed for seven years with hard labor.

Their only crime was demanding that the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and the late George Moseti Anyona be llowed to form another political party.

But they were released after serving for two years only when both internal and external pressure piled up on the government, which later entered nolle-prosequi against the sentence.

Denied employment in Kenya for the second time by the Moi regime, Prof.Akong’o Oyugi voluntarily went into exile once again and went back to Germany to teach at the University of Heidelberg.

Prof Akong’o Oyugi took his early education at Migori Primary School, Luwala Intermdiate School and attended Kamagambo SDA Mission Secondary School.He studied at Cologne University in Germany where he earned Bachelor, Masters and PHD streak of degrees

Upon his to Kenya Prof.Akong’o Oyugi joined Kenyatta University {College} in 1972 as a lecturer in Educational Psychology. He was later promoted to a senior lecturer in the same department in 1975 and was made an Associate Professor in 1990.

Prof Akong’o Oyugi returned to Kenya after a brief sojourn in Europe and established Social Development Network {SODNET} a Non-Governmental Organization {NGO}, specializing in accountability, budget literacy and good governance as its Executive Director{CEO}

He also rejoined Kenyatta University on contract. He is also become a member of the Organized Word Social Forum {WSF} in 2007.

The professor of a board members of the following organizations; AFODAD {Zimbabwe},KNDRI in Kenya, BEACON in Kenya, Reality in AID IN Kenya, Karibu Rafiki Foundation in the USA/California and Recepassa in Kenya.

He is the chairperson of USHINDI in the USA, He is also a member of the National Economic and Social Council Task Force n Devolved Government. NEPAD APRM – National Governing Council representing Nyanza Province and the International Council of Governing Social Forum Council in Brazil, African Social Forum Council.

Prof Akong’o Oyugi has scooped several international awards in recognition of his massive contribution in both academic and social forums world-wide. Thy included Ono Benecke Foundation Award {1980} Germany Academic Award of the Fund for Free Expression, New York {1992} and a regular contributor to many publications in academic journals and newspaper.

He will battle for the governorship with other political luminaries within the region like Eng. Mark Nyamita of the Airtel, Joseph Ken Ngao of the Ojele Medical Center in Migori Town, Eng Ezra Odondi, Kisumu Yown Clerk Christopher Rusana and Sam Onyango.

All the aspirants for the Migori County governorship position are men of substantial means and top academicians. They are well spread in all the four parliamentary constituencies, namely Rongo, Awendo, Uriri, Migori East, Migori West and Nyatike. Two new parliamentary electoral constituencies, namely Migori West and Awendo were recently created, bringing them to a total of six.

The agriculturally region, according to the residents needs somebody of high standing within the society, an here is where Prof.Akong”Oyugi has the head start against the other aspirants

Ends

In the enclosed attached photograph is that of Prof.Edward Akong’o Oyugi who has declared his interest in contesting the Migori County Governor in the impending general elections scheduled for December 2012.