By Shem Kosse
The youthful Ugenya parliamentary aspirant, who accorded lands minister James Orengo alongside other contestants of Ugenya parliamentary seat in the ODM preliminaries in the run up to 2007 general elections, has thrown his hat into the ring, of the newly created Kisumu central constituency seat, by the Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Steve Mwanga, who was mercilessly shortchanged in the ODM primaries in favour of Orengo, having trounced all his opponents, is fully set to cause ripples with his candidature once again.
His renowned and well oiled campaign strategy that shook not only entire Ugenya by then, but also amazed the luo populace at large, is likely to ignite sharp reaction across the political divide and more so to those who have voiced their interest, for the same seat.
Kisumu Central, has consequently, purely, remained a cosmopolitan constituency having been hived off the former larger constituency, Kisumu town west, which is currently under flagship of Olago Aluoch, largely seen as the man to beat courtesy of his stellar performance , as the incumbent Mp.
And the natives, hailing from greater Kisumu sub clans of korando, kogony, karateng, Kanyawegi among others who have been perennially championing clans’ kisumo town marwa! kisumo kendgi! Politics have been confined to their cocoon of the other newly created constituency, Kisumu west.
These are some of the factors, coupled with his financial muscle, Mwanga the accountant by profession and business magnate, appears to be cashing in on to bag the coveted seat: “This is electioneering period and there is no any seat which is a preserve for an individual!” he thundered.
Adding that most of the Kisumu residents were instrumental during his campaign trail that saw him emerging the victor, only for his nomination certificate to be handed over undeservingly to Orengo who despite being reputable democrat, received it religiously, to the chagrin of his admirers across the political spectrum.
The flamboyant Mwanga ,will have to burn midnight oil battling it out with other front runners who are Kisumu based business moguls, Abdul Omar and Philip Anayo.Not left out in the tight race to parliament is also the close confidant to former bulky area Mp Ken Nyagudi who is a topnotch legal expert, Mr. Ken Pundo, and a university don who is lecturing in one of the leading institution, Mrs Farida Ahmed Salim.
Nyagudi too is covertly massing campaign paraphernalia to give a stab once more to the National House: “For now am replenishing myself and whoever wants to rule me out to do so at his own peril…am not an amateur in politics and I’ll blow the whistle at the opportune time” he said,confidenlty.
ENDS Shem Kosse