From: Ouko joachim omolo
The News Dispatch with Omolo Beste in images
MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2012
I have been camping in Bondo, Siaya County since December 24 following closely politics in the region. At first the wrangle was between Dr William Oburu Odinga, Prime Minister Raila Odinga elder brother and James ‘Aggrey Orengo for Siaya Senate seat.
Suggestion that Orengo step down for Uburu was first initiated by PM relative and Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo. When Orengo refused to give in Oburu had no alternative but to step down for governor seat.
But because Gideon Ochanda is a people person who has over the years provided what it means to bring change in different capacities he has worked, was definitely going to defeat Oburu. Against background that on December 25 Ochanda was forced to step down for Uburu and instead vie for Bondo MP.
All the years Bondo people preferred Ochanda to be their MP but because there were allegations of ODM nominations rigging, Ochanda has never made it. This time he is promised that if he steps down for Uburu he will make it for Bondo.
This decision did not please the vast majority of Bondo voters who vowed not to vote for Oburu even if they rig him in on January 10, 2013 during ODM nominations. Their preference now that Ochanda has stepped is William Oduol.
Siaya people wanted Ochanda instead of Oburu because they believe Ochanda is a reliable leader who is a Devolution and Governance expert having over 14 years experience. He has worked as Deputy Country Director, Konrad Adenauer Foundation, and German political foundation promoting the rule of law, democracy and social justice.
Other aspirants who have declared their interest in Governor Seat include Julius Okinda,
Joe Donde, Oburu Oginga, Felix Okatch, Cornel Rasanga and Malik Obama. For senator seat they include James Orengo, Steve Mwanga, Awuor Nyakwar and Rev Sr Agnes Placida Salome Awuor.
Jakoyo Midiwo was for it again over the weekend when he publicly declared that Siaya County gubernatorial seat was already reserved for Oburu and other aspirants must just forget it, a declaration that William Oduol termed as dictatorial, saying that there was no preferred candidate for the Governor seat.
Oduol termed Midiwo’s remarks as unfortunate, reckless, presumptuous and insensitive to the opinion and views of the majority on the ground. In fact people do not want to speak about Oburu in Siaya County.
Raila on his part has said he did not have anyone in mind to vie for any seat, adding that every person must struggle for it, even though according to his relative Jakoyo Midiwo the party top brass had endorsed Bondo MP, Oburu Odinga for the Siaya County’s gubernatorial ticket and that those who were unhappy with the decision should decamp other parties.
Oduol revealed that he had been under immense pressure from a cabal of party stalwarts close to Oburu to step down for the Bondo MP and vowed that as a democrat and true believer in a new and a changing Kenya, he was ready to face it off with his opponents in a free and a fair nomination process.
Although Oduol called upon the Raila as the party leader to reassure Kenyans that party nominations in his rural backyard would be free and fair, given his deafening silence over the matter, the challenging here is whether ODM nominations are going to be free and fair.
General elections will be held in Kenya on March 2013, electing the President, Senators, County Governors, Members of Parliament, Civic Wards and Women County Representatives.
They will be the first elections held under the new constitution, which was passed during the 2010 referendum. They will also be the first general elections run by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
After the 18 December deadline, the IEBC released the provisional voter numbers showing a registered base of 14.3 million voters, missing their target of 18 million voters citing voter apathy as one of reasons for this.
This is because Kenyans had lost trust of politicians who for the last 10 years have been taking advantage of their electorates to enrich themselves. That is why instead of passing laws that will help improve governance, the MPs engaged in mischief to secure their sectarian interests.
This is not going to change in next year’s general elections unless Kenyans voted wisely. Should they vote current MPs who awarded themselves an extra 15 days within which to defect from the parties that sponsored them to Parliament, Kenyans are themselves to blame.
Kenyans were reluctant to register in good numbers because they believe the March 2013 elections will not offer them a window to usher a new regime that can rejuvenate their hopes, especially on the deteriorating economy; high inflation leading to high cost of living, insecurity and the ever rising unemployment levels which have eroded hopes of the citizens and confidence in the Kibaki led coalition government.
And because the MPs have already begun interfering with the new constitution, they are not sure of any president who will have to implement the new constitutional dispensation, oversee devolution among other reforms to restore confidence and optimism of Kenyans.
Kenyans have also not forgotten that seeking re-election in 2007 was a headache for Kibaki, with tribalism and corruption tainting his gains in economic development. The president had little to showcase to Kenyans.
The situation pushed him to for results for a final term. A fierce violence broke out, making the 2008 post election violence Kibaki’s worst nightmare as his half century active politics comes to end in March next year.
Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko, AJ
Tel +254 7350 14559/+254 722 623 578
E-mail omolo.ouko@gmail.com
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Real change must come from ordinary people who refuse to be taken hostage by the weapons of politicians in the face of inequality, racism and oppression, but march together towards a clear and unambiguous goal.
-Anne Montgomery, RSCJ UN Disarmament Conference, 2002