Political Analysis By Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City

A group of politicians, elders, businessmen, teachers and opinion leaders in Luo-Nyanza wants the Higher Education Minister and his team in the No campaign in the forthcoming referendum voting to visit the region and explain their side of the story

Nyanzaisthe hometurf of the ODM leader Raila Odinga. Both Ruto and Odinga are top leaders of the ODM ,but have a sharp disagreement over certain contentious issues.

‘We want to hear both sides of the story from our political divide, so that we can make up our minds and chose which side to vote for on August 4t, said their spokesman Ben R Okoth a Homa-Bay politician.

As much as we welcome the Yes team canvas for votes, we are equally extending our invitation to Minister Ruto. The draft constitution is not the property of any party nor any group of politician, but it is Kenyan document for prosperity. If it is good for us, then the same will be for our children and other generations to come, therefore there is no need for the campaigner for the document to engage in political animosity.

In the same context, a group elders in Kisumu have suggested that Ruto and his team should organ is political rallies in all major urban centers in Nyanza such Siaya, Ugunja, Bondo, Ahero,Kisumu, Oyugis, Homa-Bay, Mbita, Rongo, Awendo, Migori and Karungu Bay.

They said, although they were staunch members of the ODM, it is their belief that the constitution of Kenya is above party politics, there both sides of the Yes and No team should come and campaign freely in Nyanza, And late the voters decide which side to vote foir, and this is the essence of democratic principles.

One elder Mzee Atieno Obira said he has been a good listener of most of the FM radio stations and TV stations and has heard the argument put up by both sides, butthatis 0tenough, he wants to see the leaders of Yes and No campaign teams and hear their argument at a political rally.

Equally, he added, “the Yes team led by President Mwai Kibaki and the Prime Minister should also be free to visit Mr Ruto’s backyard in the Rift Valley as they have been doing before unmolested. A true democrat is that one who is a good listener and accepts competitive politics, which is very healthy in a democratic society.

A group youths in Ahero town told this writer that they would mobilize their colleagues to organize a public rally for Ruto and his team. Ruto is our son just like any other. He is not a villain, but someone who stands and defends the right of his people. Let him come here and tell as all the faults within the draft constitution. They said, however, they totally disagreed with the church leaders heir objection alleged legalized abortion in a clause of the draft constitution. Many foetus of unborn children have been retrieved in the rivers, dustbins, pit latrines. but the church has been silent only to come and trey to scuttle the draft constitution, which Kenyans have been yawning for close to two decades. But the church has remained silent over these ungodly happenings around us.

The Ahero youths said they were looking for William Ruito’s p[hone contacts, and once they got it they will send him an invitation message to come and address a public rally in Ahero town.

A Migori politician John George Omolo told the leaders of both Yes and No team to be tolerant of people with divergence views. He reminded the younger politicians that the likes of the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Masinde Muliro, Bishop Alexander Muge, Bishop Henry Okullu, Martin Shikuku, Charles Rubia, Paul Muite, James Orengo,Ken Matiba and other fought for the second liberation just to create a democratic space and equal playing ground. And therefore all the team in the political divide should tour all parts of Kenya and sale their policy to the voters.

It has been established that a good number of elders, civic leaders and local politicians in the region have established contact with Ruto and his team.

Ours is open society and as such we must learn to be tolerant to other people’s views, even if we disagree with our neighbor’s opinion, we must be ready to accommodate other people’s views on various issues.

It has also been established that a good number of members of the Luo Council of Elders are sympathetic to Ruto’s no camp campaign team, but are only scare to make their opinion known publicly due to fear of possible reprisal from the ODM overzealous supporters.

The rumors making the round within Kisumu City and its environs is that Ruto team is most welcome in the region and therefore the team should make an early contact with its supporters and organize public rallies as soon as the referendum votes campaign is official declared.

Ends

leooderaomolo@yahoo.com