LUO NYANZA, VIOLENT POLITICS AND NAME CALLING
Of late, your paper has reported about political quarrels that have
degenerated to near physical confrontation among elected leaders in Luo Nyanza. Some have quarreled publicly between themselves, but mainly, between them and former aspirants for elective parliamentary seats in the last general elections. This means that there have been a lot of political under currents in Luo Nyanza, that has led to public name calling, and physical confrontation, between sitting Members of Parliament, and the aspirants whom they defeated in the last 2007 elections. This also means that development agenda is not in their minds, but politics of war and defeat.
The recent public quarrels and near physical confrontation between Members of Parliament and former aspirants in their constituencies of Muhoroni, South Nyanza, Nyakach and many unreported ones speaks volumes.
These undercurrents are consequences of unfairness/cheating, inequity in party nominations, block voting and euphoria that have characterized Luo politics in the past, just to mention a few. This cheating makes the so called defeated feel cheated. and the elected, who have managed to go through, feel insecure, hence the war that leads to primitive physical confrontation in the public.
In this world when you end up in a physical fight it means that you have failed to think and you are bereft of any options. The flawed party nominations have been a problem in this region over the years. I ask for any better way to address the cause.
Such differences and quarrels of such magnitude has a tendency of making potential investors destined into Luo Nyanza drag their feet as far as economic development for Luo Nyanza is concerned. As a matter of fact, development issues are relegated to the periphery or just given lip service.
For example, the devolved funds of over Kshs.150,000=per constituency is not felt in Luo Nyanza constituencies as opposed to what is happening in places like Gatanga constituency of central province. The current issues, like the falling standard of education in Nyanza are not tackled. The leaders have not, and do not have time to explain the contents of Harmonized Constitution Draft to their constituents. What a pity!
A good leader is one who agrees to make one step backward for the purpose of peace, and makes three steps forward when a peaceful opportunity arises in due course. Good leadership is not about chest thumbing, but being humble and empathetic to the needs of the poor and disadvantaged.
So Nyanza leaders, please wake up for the sake of your poor constituents. Kenya is moving forward.
Felix Owaga Okatch
Tel:254-721-735489
254-733-735489
Email: felixokatch@yahoo.com
I wish to thank Felix for his well thought out analysis of the Issue of Political Bikering in Luo Nyanza. It is indeed a hindrence to economic and political development in the region. There is a saying that a divided house cannot stand agaist its enemies. Further, unity is the strength and therefore, where there is no team work, isolation and selfish forces takesover to rein. This is the unfortunate situation that our leaders in Nyanza have erected in the province!
My question is for how long will Nyanza leaders take the people round and round on economic and politacal issues? The answer lies with the people ,who are the voters to stand up and reject these selfish and uncaring lot of leaders.
Dr Joseph Aoll,
NJ USA
The way forward for Luo Nyanza is to embrace fresh leadership and new ideologies…we have enough talented crop of young emerging leaders who are capable of bringing the much needed change and drive robust economic and political reforms…2012 Luo Nyanza must arise!
Willy Aoll
Luo Nyanza Leader
it is true, however our time has come for us to make a change. on 21st June tune into ramogi fm and you may hear what i have for the luos especially the young. come 2012 we will arise!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m mobilizing all young credible luo leaders in a caucus that will free us fro undue reliance on failing current crop of leadership. Lets join hands young terks and be leaders and not followers!
Willy Aoll
Vice President – EMEA
Intellicom Group Inc
Dear Colleagues,
Our leadership is not the problem, our culture is. Our Central and Eastern borthers and sisters are an aggressive lot that is why an Indian would find it difficult to open a shop there. Please note that POLITICS will not take us anywhere. Lets talk BUINESS all the time. Lets learn from those who are developed and practice. Politics and Jealousy will not take us anaywhere. Besides those who are economically endowed control and determine who leads a state. Its a fact world over. How many of us here have opened up a business and are struggling day and night to make it be a success?? If you have a friend/relative/or another Luo fellow…Encourgae them to pursue this path. Education is an enabler not a guarantee to economic development in todays world. Why spend millions to earn a BA, MA, PHD and end up bila kazi? Then complain and whine. Lets wake up time is runnin
Joluo and Friends,
I am impressed with the discussions. I am for sure for at last we can work out own problems. I am, because the Luos can finally embrace the need to have unity against the corrupt, the dictatorial system, the poor local leaders positioning. I am, because we can now take the initiative to call bad-bad, and good-good. The time has finally come when leaders-only true leaders would accepted and elected by us.
I have seen the snows form. I have witnessed the winds blow. I have no doubt that sons of our sons, and daughters of our daughters will be proud that we took the initiative to transform the one time ‘back drawing and retrogressive’ system of leadership.
I am not a politica leader. Not aspiring. It is time we understood our part in the society.
Finaly, do you think Agwambo would leave a legacy if he did not take part in 2012 elections ! And if he contested and lost !
Joseph Owuondo
Kisumu
jowuondo@yahoo.com
Ethical decision-making and leadership are the basis of ethical governments,organisations, corporate social responsibility, ‘fairtrade’, sustainability, the ‘triple bottom line’, and other similar concepts. Its time our leaders learn to run the country like a private enterprise.
Willy Aoll
Vice President – EMEA
Intellicom Group LLC