Reports Leo Odera Omolo In Awendo Town.

Members of the sugar cane farming fraternity within Awendo cane growing zones have issued a stern warning to a cartel and mandarins with vast economic and business interests in the Awendo-based SonySugar Company Limited to desist from the bad habit of frustrating the work of the newly elected MP for the area.

The farmers through their spokesmen said that the elections are over, the resident of this agriculturally rich area should renew their concerted efforts in growing more cane. This, they said is the only way forward to promote economic activities and poverty eradication in the area.

The farmers were reacting on rumors and speculations, making the round within Awendo Town and its environs, to the effect that unknown persons suspected to be the associates of a cartel and mandarins of big business tycoons within the town have been issuing threats against the life of the newly elected Awendo MP Hon Fred Otieno Kopiyo.

Kopiyo, the former Principal of Gamba High School, which is located about ten kilometers to the west of Awendo town, had won the election against a half a dozen of other contestants on a Ford Kenya ticket.

This was after his victory for the ODM ticket was cancelled by the party headquarters following the intervention of unnamed senior politicians and businessmen in the area, which saw the ODM nomination certificate being handed to the nomination loser one Walter Owino who was the ODM official candidate.

The MP elect beat the latter hands down and other aspirants, and immediately swore to serve the much exploited and marginalized sugar cane farmers in the area to his best.

IN a phone conversation with this writer, Hon Kopiyo said that since the elections were now over the resident should work together in unity of purpose and I a concerted effort to develop the area to the highest level.

The MP – elect extended an olive branch to all those who competed against him, saying there is a room for all to work together for the interests of the residents.”Our common goal should be how quickly we could succeed in eradicating poverty among our people, ”he said.

He said despite of the area producing a lot of sugar cane and other cash crops, the poverty index is the highest

There must be no more witch-hunting, but leaders worth their salt should stand united together and developed the common approach toward the elimination of abject poverty in the area.

Symptoms that there were some people who were working secretly and covertly by placing the barriers before the newly elected MP had emerged during the height of electioneering campaign. One aspirant was allowed to hold public rallies within the Sonysugar company’s compound, while Hon Kopiyo could not even come close to the company estates and talk to the workers. But he said yesterday that he had forgiven the Sonysugar management for that kind of discrimination and was willing to work hand in hand with its managers for the benefits of all.

Another allegation against the SonySugar management was that some of its top managers are working in business partnership with the cartel of the Awendo based tycoons in partnership in the chains of fuel stations operated by the Kenyan Oil Company. “There is nothing wrong in people coming together and forming business partnership, but such partnership should not be operated while based on the malice.”

“People with business interests such as providing services to the SonySugar company or suppliers must desist from exercising undue influence on this public owned company”.said one Tom Okello a cane farmer in Oyani area.

The farmer also asked the Provincial administration and police authorities in Migori County to investigate the alleged threats being issued to the elected individual personalities and ensure that those responsible area brought to book.

Kopiyo, however, denied having received any direct threat for his life from anyone, but have heard the rumors that some people, especially those involved in multi-million shillings businesses with the SonySugar company were not happy with his recent election victory

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