Writes Leo Odera Omolo.
ALTHOUGH the late Joshua Orwa Ojode had served the government briefly as an Assistant minister for Internal Security and Provincial Administration, he has left behind a very attractive record of total commitment to development activities that are of mutual beneficial to his constituents.
Orwa Ojode contributions in cash material could only be equal in comparison to the contributions which has so far been made by two men, namely for powerful Permanent Secretary In the Office of the President, the late Hezekiah N Oyugi, and the retired former country director o Marie Stopple Clinics,Cyprian Otieno Awiti
Ojode had concentrated in developing his Ndhiwa constituency, but Awiti is on record of having criss-crossed the full length and width of the greater Southern Nyanza region making hefty cash donations and contributions towards the various socio-economic projects I nearly all the constituencies, districts and administrative locations.
Awiti who hails from Rachuonyo South district has declared his interest n one of the elective positions in the forthcoming general election. Awiti is aspir9ing to be elected the first governor of Homa-Bay County.
The two men Ojode and Awiti sharply differed ideologically in characters and religion wise. Ojode is a member of he Seventh Day Adventists Church {SDA} whereas Cyprian Awiti is a staunch member of the Roman Catholic Church.
Audited statistic of donations made by individuals towards the various socio-economic projects in the entire greater Southern Nyanza has revealed that Cyprian Awiti leading the rest only to be followed Ojode and the late PS Oyugi the three men are credited for having donated generously toward the various development activities, which included educational facilities and institutions, health centers, dispensaries, women groups, water project and other essential infrastructure which are relevant to the development of rural areas.
The Homa-Bay County and the jurisdiction of the would be governor covered close to eight parliamentary constituencies. The area is so long covering widest area from Sondu Town to Nyandiwa in Gwassi {now Suba South district], Mbita { now Suba North district and winding up in Mfangano Island right in the middle of Lake Victoria.
The constituencies include Kasipul-Kabondo, Kasipul, Karachuonyo, Rangwe, Homa-Bay Town, Ndhiwa, Suba North and Suba South.
The country also covering several small fishing islands located inside Lake Victoria such as Ringiti, Rehemba, Lolwe,Takawiri, Ngodhe, Oyamo Sikri, Soklo Kipenji { or Soklo Kubanga} and other smaller ones. The person who will win the governorship will have to travel along distances visiting and supervising the administration of the dozens of fishing island, which are located inside Lake Victoria.
It will a daunting and highly tasking job or the new governor. This is why the electorate in the region wanted somebody with the widest administrative experience coupe with financial discipline.
The majority of the electorate stretching from Gwassi, Mbita, Mfangano and Rusinga sIands have been heard talking good and in favor of Cyrian Awiti as the most suitable person who can serve them sincerely and with dedication as their next government. It is a political office in which the holder also need.
Given his experience at Marie Stopie Clinic’s, though it is only an international NGO with countrywide branches, Awiti is seen as mature and serious person for the job.
Awiti hails near Mawego R.C. mission and next to Mawego Technical College and Mawego Girls Secondary School both which are run and managed by he Diocese of Homa-Bay is credited for having made his personal cash contributions and donations toward the development projects indiscriminately and without giving preference to any of the projects, which are located in his home turf home turf of Karachuonyo.
Ojode and Awiti were very close friends. On several occasions Awiti was invited by Ojode to Ndhiwa for major fund drive while Ojode reciprocated by visiting Rachuonyo region and presiding over successful fund drives for the various projects.
Had Ojode lived on to witness the next general election, Awiti could have harvest nearly 100 per cent of votes in the vote rich Ndhiwa constituency to realize his ambition for the governorship. It is, however, hoped that Ndhiwa constituents who have benefited immensely from Awiti during Ojode’s lifetime, would give him the sympathy votes as someone who had worked closely with the deceased MP.
Awiti is currently leading the pack of three aspirants who include Eng Philip Okoth Okundi, and the Microsoft executive Dr Mark Matunga. Okundi is from Rangwe, while Matunga hails from Mfangano Island in the Suba North constituency.
Ends