From: Ouko joachim omolo
The News Dispatch with Omolo Beste in images
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2013
Although no sign of violence in Homa Bay ODM nomination tomorrow, it is going to be a tough race between Eng. Philip Okundi and Cyprian Awiti for governor seat. Even though Okundi may get votes from his Kochia West Location in the present Rangwe constituency, non performance as former area MP may lead to his downfall.
While Cyprian Awiti may get favour following his previous developments in Homa Bay County, Okundi is to influence voters from Mbita, Gwassi, Ndhiwa, Rangwe, Karachuoyo and Kasipul-Kabondo constituencies if he were to defeat Awiti.
Although Okundi has vast training and skills in communication technology on top of his ministerial experience in public affairs, Awiti has made good reputation as Marie Stoppie Country director, even though his managerial experience is said to be rather inferior to that of Eng. Okundi.
But even so, Awiti had served as the Principal of the Railway Training School before joining the Marie Stoppie Clinics, a well known International NGO in the world. Dr. Mark Matunga had to decline his ambition for the seat because he hails from Mfangano Island in the Suba district of Mbita the same as Otieno Kajwang who is running for senator seat.
The reason being that both of them come from Suba, including Roselyn Onyuka who is running for women representative- Matunga is to face Milly Odhiambo for Mbita constituency MP.
Even though Matunga is a senior technical representative of the Microsoft Computer International serving the company in close to 15 African countries in the south, east and west, he is not well known to the constituents like Milly Odhiambo.
While Awiti is popular in Kasipul Kabondo, particularly in Oyugis area, the fact that he is said not to be in good book with the most influential woman in Karachuonyo politics, particularly Dr Mrs Phoebe Muga Asiyo, the former two ties MP for the area, and who hail from the Southern part of the constituency of Kanyaluo, the critics argue this might also lead to his downfall.
His critics argue that he is also not in good working relations with the incumbent MP for Karachuonyo Eng.James K Rege, whose influence in this most populous constituency matters a lot. Awiti campaigned for the immediate former Karachuonyo MP Dr.Paul Adhu-Awiti during the 2007 general election against Rege.
His critics argue further that the fact that he is also being accused for having sponsored the parallel ODM splinter groups led by former journalist Jack Nduri his oppnents might use this to block him.
They may use the same to Eng. Okundi whom they accuse of not doing much for his Kochia people when he was the MP. It is said that his own people in Kochia West location are not with him, leave a lone the greater Jokochia.
They also accuse him of not having network with the youth who are the majority voters. He is also accused in his own sub location (Kanam) of favouring people from his Kwoyo area at the expense of even his own brothers from Ariwa, Ngegu and Godbondo areas.
On the other hand, Awiti is not only credited as one person who has been traversing the entire Luo-Nyanza, but also making hefty cash donations for the improvement of educational facilities, health centers and dispensaries, churches, women and youth groups.
Awiti who hails from the Eastern part of Karachuonyo constituency in Kobuya sub-clan which is a member of the most populous and influential clan called Kadwet clan, whose members occupies the most part of Central and Eastern Karachuonyo constituency in Rachuonyo North district is an orator.
He is also not only a staunch member of the Roman Catholic church, which is enjoying the largest following in areas like Rangwe, Ndhiwa, Gwassi and parts of Western and Eastern Kasipul constituency in Rachuonyo South district, he has worked closely with the church by promoting its activities and church sponsored projects. Priests in these areas may use this as his campaign tool.
Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko, AJ
Tel +254 7350 14559/+254 722 623 578
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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