Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City
THREE Luo Ministers got a rude and shocking reception in Siaya County over the weekend after they were accused of killing the democratic space which Kenyans have fought for many years.
The Ministers James Aggrey Orengo {Lands} Gerald Otieno Kajwang’ {Immigration and Registration of Persons Minister and Dr. Oburu Oginga who is the Finance Assistant Minister had gone to Sega Town in the Ugenya constituency to drum up the support for Dr. Oburu Odinga who is vying for the Siaya County governor.
Close to 2,000 delegates from all over the six parliamentary constituencies within Siaya County attended the meeting, but flatly refused to be coerced to endorse Dr. Oburu Oginga as the sole ODM candidate for the lucrative and powerful position of Siaya County governor.
Dr. Oburu Oginga is facing a Siaya business man William Oduol in a two men horse election race for the same position. The rowdy delegates made life difficult for the Minister and MPs accompany them. At one point one of the enraged delegates stood up and grabbed the microphone from Minister Orengo raising tension as the delegates engaged in the shouting match drowning the Ministers voices.
The delegates were arguing that there be no sacred cow and that all the aspirants interested in contesting various elective seats should be cleared by the ODM for the electorate to finish their work at the ballot boxes come March 4, 2013.
Present at the meeting were Rarieda MP Eng Nicholas Gumbo, Alego-Usonga MP Edwin Ochieng Yinda, Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo and Rangwe MP Martin Otieno Ogindo.
The same shouting match was witnessed when the Ministers and MPs moved out of Sega Primary School ground and moved to Ugunja Town for the public rally.
Meanwhile in Homa-Bay County three prominent Luo politicians vying for the various elective seats launched their campaign officially at the different venues.
The first to launch his campaign for the contest for the position of Homa-Bay County governor was Cyprian Otieno Awiti, the retired former Country Director of Marrie Stoppie Clinics. Awiti’s colorful launching was graced by the secretary-General of COTU {K} Francis Atwoli.
After the launching Awiti drover in a convey of close to 50 motorcade and snaked around Gwassi constituency, visited Kisegi, Sindo and Magunga,God-Bura, Nyandiwa before sailing across the Mbita Channel to Mfangano Island using Mbita Ferry.
On Sunday Awiti attended the Sunday Mass and prayers at the Mausoleum of the Late Tom Mboya near Matenga Beach in Kamasengre , Rusinga West in Mbita constituency.He addressed a public rally at Kolunga Beach in Kamasengre. He later toured Wanyama, Utajo fish landing beaches in Rusinga East Location and Mbita town where he addresses huge crowds of enthusiastic supporters.
Awiti and his entourage crossed the MBITA Channel on Monday and moved to Osodo Primary School in Kamireri and at luanda in Gembe Location before moving to Lambwe West and Lambwe East location within Mbita constituency.
On the mainland, Awiti’s arch-rival for the same position Eng.Phillip Okoth Okundi conducted a marathon road-show which took him around Homa-Hills in West Karachuonyo before addressing a huge crowd at PALA Market in KANJHIRA IN Karachuonyo constituency.
The Immigration and Registration of Persons Gerald Oteno Kajwang’ who is vying for the Homa-Bay Senate seat also took his team to a road-show.
He officially launched his campaign at Rodi-Kopany about 8 kilometers outside homa-Bay town. His Caravan snakes out of Rodi Kopany and drover through Rangwe town before heading to \ndiru in Kagan Location before reaching Oyugis town where he addressed a huge crowd.
Kajwabng’’s trip, however, was not all that smooth. He encountered booing and heckling by rowdy youths at Rodi Kopany, who were believed to be the supporters of his rival Hilary Ochieng’Alila. The youth engaged the Minister in shouting match asking him to explain the reason why he had abandoned his Mbita parliamentary seat after representing the area for close to 17 years.
In Rangwe Town the Minister met with a hostile crowd of youths shouting the names of Hilary Ochieng’Alila and urged the Minister to move out of the place because they did not want him.
Minister Kajwang’, however, was well received at Oyugis Town where he addresses a huge crowd of people and urged them to elect reliable and credible leaders who would deliver the goods and alleviate poverty in the region.
From the looking of things, Awiti appeared to be having the upper hand in his bid to capture the Homa-Bay County governorship seat. He appeared to have captured the Suba region as well as Ndhiwa constituency well ahead of his opponents.
Homa-Bay County is covering seven parliamentary constituencies which included Gwassi, Mbita, Ndhiwa, Rangwe, Homa-Bay Town, Karachuonyo, Kasipul and Kabondo Kasipul and is the largest County in the region.
Other aspirants or the governor position included Prof.Akeyo Omolo of the Maseno University, while the Senate seat appeared to be a two horse race between Kajwang’and the youthful Nairobi based business tycoon Hilary Ochieng’Alila whose popularity has hit the region with thud like thunderstorm.
Ends