ASK Leo Odera Omolo in Kisumu City
THE six million question currently being asked by many people in this City and its environs is the whereabouts of the several dozens of Moi-made Luo millionaires who were created by the regime of the retired President DanieL Arap Moi before his regime was hounded out of the office in 2002.
The Moi made millionaires were individual professionals, business tycoons, politicians and KANU operatives who were then the ones calling shots inside Luo-Nyanza. The majority of them have died mysteriously leaving behind huge bank debts said to have overburden their families.
Only a few are still surviving, who have kept very low profiles. Leading the pack was Kassim G Owango, an economist who had established an enterprising land valuers business enterprises in Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumuj, John Linus Aluoch, joel Nyaseme, Hezekiah Nelson Oyugi,Isaack Omolo-Okero, Okumu Aroko, Eng. Maxwell Otieno Odongo, Sam Okello, Edwin Ochieng” Yinda, Tom Okello Obondo Dalmas Otieno.Peter Castro Oloo Aringo, Ouma Okendo, Orwenjo-Umidha, Mijoma a trade unionist, Arap Onyango, David , Paul Demaco GogoDavid Okiki Amayo, Hertbert Ojwang”,Tom Okello Obondo ,Okumu Aroko, W. Onyango Ayoki, Eng.Phillip Okoth Okundi, Z\blon Owigo Olang and other political luminaries of the KANU regime under Moi.
Some of the Moi-Made millionaires traversed the full length and width of Luo-Nyanza dishing our hefty donations toward many socio-economic projects, while at the same time delivering Moi hefty personal donations.
Other had become excessively arrogant and bullies to an extent that anyone who crossed swords with them were in for hot soup. The group polarized The region and even made the D.C.s who were serving in the various administrative district in Nyanza wetting on their trousers on simple phone calls from the men
However, only a few of these Moi’s men made it to the August House inspire having made numerous attempt to garner votes in heavily funded election campaign in various parliamentary constituencies. These were John Linus Aluoch {Rongo}, DalmasandDalmas Otieno.Otieno{Rongo}, Tom Okello Obondo Ndhiwa}, Ot. Edwin Ochieng’Yinda{Alego-Usonga}, David Okiki Amayo{Karachuonyo}, W. Onyango-Ayok,Okumu Aroko {Kisumu Rural} JOHN henry Okwanyo {Karachuonyo} {Karachuonyo Peter Clever Otieno Nyakiamo {Mbita}, Wyciffe Onyango Ayoki [Kisumu Rural}, Sam Odoyo {Nyakach}.Eng Philip Okoth Okundui
Our research has revealed that out of dozens of the Moi-Made Luo millionaires who are still thriving in active business are quite a few. The Moi|s men who had the easiest access to the State House were treated by so many lucrative government tenders,in some cases with payments in advance before the work is done and completed contrary to the government procurement regulations.They were known to be dishing out in return colossal amount of money earned from these contract back to the KANU campaign kitty each tie the election were called.
Those whose businesses are known to be still thriving on and enterprising include Paul D. whom is the CEO Sifa Insurance, Peter Nyakiamo who is a retired CEO of the Barclays Bank of Kenya, Edwin Ochieng’Yinda who is a business magnate in the coastal city of Mombasa and perhaps one of the wealthiest Luo,Eng Philip Okundi whose Asego Investment business flagship is running and managing enterprising Cotton Ginneries, real estates and other businesses. Orwenjo Umidha, the former Siaya mayor who is running real estate businesses in Siaya town, and perhaps controlling had of the business premises in that town.Herbert Ojwang” who is running and owning several businesses in Nairobi and Kabondio-Kasipul as well as in Kisumu.including road transport. Zablon Owigo Olang/ is also reported to be still in business.
Reports emerging fro Siaya say Mijoma died about ten years ago a pauper, the same could be said of the late Mathews Ogutu the former Tourism Minister,the late Ouma Okendo the generous man from Uyoms died while living moderately and an average rural life. Henry Okwanyof9rer Minister for Water Development left behind a well organised family who included the County Commissioner for Pokot Peter Okwanyo and a large family ,living well in hid Migori home, and the same could be said of Samson Odoyo a humble man and forme Nyakach Mp. His son Peter Odoyo served in the Raila -Moi meger government ads an Assistant Minister for Foregn Affairs and he is still an active ODM politician though of limited influence in Nyakach.the former long-serving Minister for Power and Communication is living comfortably in his palatial Ulumbi-Gem rural home, The rest either died in mystery or perished while wallowing in abject poverty
Those Moi”s men who made into parliament only succeeded in their ambition after defecting to the either the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga’s Ford Kenya, Rala ODM dinga’s LDP and ODM , but not on a KANU ticket.