Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City
MEMBERS of the Luo community have pleaded with the President – elect Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto to consider the possibility of picking up for cabinet appointment two of its modera5e and neutral technocrats.
According to a number of the members of Luo Council of elders interviewed across the Luo-Nyanza, this gesture would be inline with the pledge made earlier by Mr Kenyatta that his jubilee government would be all inclusive and that all Kenyans would be incorpoa6ed in the government.
The elders have been seeking the way of meeting Mr Kenyatta before his swearing in scheduled for next Tuesday so that they could plead with him to include a number of uo technocrats in his Jubilee cabinet.
Names being floated for such appointment included the two former members of Parliament Joe Donde [Gem} and Dr Shem Ochuodho [Rangwe}. The two had their political career cut short as the result of disagreement with the Luo political kingpin Raila Amolo Odinga. All the two were elected in 1997 on an LDP ticket, but later fallout with Mr Odinga on matters of principles.
Donde is still being remembered with his famous Donde Bill. He is a financial genious and is level minded. He lost his Gem seat to Raila’s cousin Jakoyo Midiwo in 2002, while Dr. Ochuodho fell out of favor with Mr Odinga and was replaced by Eng. Phillip Okoth Okundi in Rangwe in 2002.
Ochuodho a computer geneous who has since served the government of Rwanda as an ICT adviser and was recently serving the new South Sudan government in the same capacity.
Joe Donde had earlier indicated that he would contest the Siaya governor positi9n on an ODM ticket but later changed his mind and did not contest. Dr.Ochuodho too did not contest for any elective position.
Those interviewed were up-beat that the two gentlemen could serve in Kenyatta’s cabinet while at the same time serving the interests of the 3 million Luos living in Kenya. The elders are vehemently opposed to the possibility of recycling some o deadwood and including them in the new government. These included some of the Minister wh9 had served in the Kibaki’s administration and whose names were tainted wit numerous financial scandals and mismanagement of the public resources.
In order to restore the confidence of all Kenyans President Kenyatta must move out of those whose names are dented and stained with past scandals. The new President must have a free hand to start with fresh people of high caliber and reputation, said one Luo elder in Kisumu.
The inclusion of the two Luo technocrats would be the best way forward of reconciling all Kenyans to work together for the better future of this country
The elder who requested for his name to be kept anonymous said the community would work with President Kenyatta despite of the cut-throat bruising election election contest between him and the ODM Raila Odinga so that the co7ntry moves forward to a better future.
Ends