News Analysis By Leo Odera Omolo In Homa-Bay Town

The death in a chopper last Sunday has robbed the Ndhiwa constituents hardworking MPs who has turned around the hitherto most backward rural constituency into an ultra modern areas in the greater Southern Nyanza region.

Tentative plans are arrangement to have the departed soul of the abrasive MP buried at his palatial home in Unga, Kanyamwa in Ndhiwa district on Sunday. The high profile funeral is expected to attract one of the biggest gatherings in the region, which could only be in comparison to that of the world most acknowledged polygamist the late Asentus Akuku Ogwela {Dengerman} which took place in the same constituency two years ago.

While sending his heartfelt condolence to the family of Ojode, who died while serving as an Assistant Minister for Internal Security and Provincial Administration, an ODM operative who is also candidate aspiring for the Senate Representative of Homa-Bay County, Hilary Ochieng’ Alila appealed to the electorates in Ndhiwa to search and vote only for a visionary leader,but not a common heckler armed with fake academic certificate.

Alila said the next parliament will have no room or politically mediocre with no proper educational background. The next Mp must emulate Ojode and ensure that all the socio-economic projects initiated by Ojode were completed in time.

Ojode set a wonderful example of dedicated services to the constituents,making Ndhiwa to be he role model of massive development in the region.

Meanwhile tentative behind the scene consultations are gong on in both Ndhiwa and Nairobi where the constituents are said to be brainstorming while searching for a possible replacement of Ojode, signifying an early campaign to start in earnest.

Several names are being fronted and floated by the residents as the possible successor o Orwa Ojode.

One of them men is the youthful graduate Jeremiah Owiti. The latter who hails from Kanyidoto location is working with an international NGO in Nairobi. He contested in the 2007, but lost to Ojode during the ODM preliminaries.

Owiti who is commonly known to his peers as “Jero” is a popular aspirant within the locality.

And he is credited for having actively involved in most of the socio-economic projects donating generously.

Another personality in Ndhiwa who is considered as the most suitable replacement for Ojode is the outspoken marine expert working in both Kisumu and Mwanza Ted Odero who hails from the populous and votes rich Kabuoch Location in Riana Division, Ndhiwa constituency.

Odero had indicated earlier that he would challenge Ojode a couple of months ago when he declared hi candidature for the Ndhiwa parliamen6ary seat. He is said to have been in good working terms with the deceased an also said to be a friend of the ODM leader Raila Odinga who I the Prime Minister.

Also considered for possible successor of Ojode is a young veterinary scientist who used to work with ILRAD in both Ethiopia an Kenya Dr Edward Rege. He is the younger step-brother to the incumbent Karachunyo MP Eng.James K Rege.

Dr Rege is Ojode’s immediate neighbor at Unga village in Ndhiwa, Kanyamawa and is credited or having contributed a lot toward cultural and sporting activities in Ndhiwa as well as financially supporting socio-economic project in the constituency.

Another name which is being floated is that of Luis Otieno, a cousin of the late Ojode. Luis is the eldest son of Matthew Otieno Ogingo who had served as a two times Ndhiwa MP. He is a senior manager with Microsoft Computer International for African region based in Nairobi.Ogingo at one time served in the Moi KANU regime as an Assistant Minister and also represented Kenya in the defunct Central Legislative Council of the defunct first East African Community in the late 1960s.{now East African Legislative Assembly}.

Ogingo and the late Ojode are cousins. Their fathers Ogingo Oteno, and the late Michael Ojode Otieno are brothers. Therefore Luis Otieno stand will earn a lot of sympathy votes from the electorate, especially from those sympathetic to the Ojode family over his tragedy and untimely death in a chopper crash.

The former Ndhiwa MP Tom Okello Obondo ho of late is said to have been warming up to the ODM party and its leadership. He is also said to be planning for a political come back. He has remained in the political limbo ever since he was defeated by Or Ojode for the same seat in 1974 after he had defected from Ford –Kenya back to KANU.

Another Nairobi based businessman whose name is also making he round and also being mentioned as a possible contestant is the flamboyant Tom Otieno Alila who is an official of the KFF representing Nyanza Province.Alila, however, has yet to indicate his interest in the vacant seat, perhaps would make his position clear after the mourning period of the late Ojode are over.

Also expected to be in the race is the perennial Ndhiwa election loser and the self-styled ODM coordinator in Nyanza Mrs Monica Amolo.She was a candidate in 2007 but lost to Ojode with a large margin of 12,000 votes against Ojode’s 48,000, She of late been facing series of accusations and allegation of bad-mouthing fellow politicians in the larger Homa-Bay County.

It is further being allege that Monica Amolo is always heard while bragging in private to be the one who having the ears of the Prime Minister Raila Odinga. However, her popularity appeared to have waned and diminished in the recent past and are the lowest ebb. She hails from Kanyikela Location near Rapedhi SDA mission.

Issues which are likely to surface during the next include clan’s politics. Ndhiwa constituency is made up of several major and smaller communities, the most populous being the Jo-Kabuoch group, followed by their cousins the Jo-Kanyamwa, and other small sub-clans such as Kanyikela, Kanyidoto, Kwabwayi, Koguta, Kaguria and Komenya campaign.

There are also minor immigrant clans such as Kajulu, Kadhola and those originally migrated from the Suba communities Suba During his tenure of office which lasted for close to 16 years Orwa Ojode had neutralized all kinds of clan politics in the region and united the constituents who worked together. This is how the faster development has been achieved within the brief spell of time.

If the arithmetic and statistics of the registered voters is anything to go by, then Ted Odero stands a better chance of clinching the Ndhiwa seat, but this political scenario could only be witnessed if this time around the Kabuoch group can produce only one aspirant.

Ends