ENG. NYAMUHNGA IS LIKELY TO RETAIN HIS NYANDO SEAT ON ODM-K TICKET!

By Arrum Tidi
Luocome, Nyando

NYANDO is an electoral area that is likely to cause a lot of fireworks during the forthcoming general election. The incumbent MP, Eng. Eric Opon Nyamunga, a moderate legislator, is likely to be challenged by a troop of aspirants, most of them banking on clanism politics, which in the view of many voters is repugnant.

Nyamunga, however is one of the current Luo MPs in the ninth parliament who has made it to the satisfaction of the electorate. His five year representation has witnessed the perennial flood waters of River Nyando being adequately controlled through the efforts in which the local residents, under his leadership, have become the major source of the resources used in floods control.

Immediately after winning the election on Narc ticket, the legislator embarked on flood control strategies. People were mobilized and sensitized to work on new flood control methods, which worked well. These strategies have since succeeded in minimizing the damage and the effects of the flood waters during both short and long rainy seasons.

The residents were engaged in building the dykes along the Nyando River banks. They also dug trenches along the roads and other flood prone areas on daily payments. The scheme and the programme of work for food is a success story. The Nyando MP is also being credited for having supervised the proper disbursement of the CDF, School Bursary Funds and HIV/Aids Control Funds and is said to be a down to earth politician who works round the clock with the people on matters of development activities. He has also directed the proper use of road maintenance funds.

Nyando constituency history
Nyando constituency, which is one of the oldest constituencies in Luo-Nyanza, having been created in 1963, has had a lot of controversies.

The first MP for the area was the late Okuto Bala, who won the seat on a KANU ticket in 1963. Bala, who hailed from Kabar sub-clan, was Rev Okoth Otura's cousin, and was instrumental in the youthful Jadolo's recruitment as informer to the Late Jaramogi Odinga in late 1970's when Jadolo was in Lake Primary School and later Kisumu Boys High School in Kisumu.

Bala was succeeded by the late Tom Ogalo Ogada, who hails from Kakola sub-clan of the larger Kano clan. Ogalo was related to the popular Ahero Mayor Odotte Ojiem, who is a well respected elder in Kakola. The long serving coucillor, and Omuosi Janyando are major players in Kakola and Kano general politics. The councillor's development record has been good, and he is and will continue to be an influential factor in Nyando Politics.

Ogalo lost the seat in 1974 to a firebrand trade unionist Mathew C. Onyango Midika in 1974. But Midika did not complete his five-year term. He was convicted on a charge of theft of money belonging to Kenya Union of Sugar Plantation workers, where he was the Secretary General. He was sentenced to 4 years imprisonment.

In the subsequent by-election, Tom Ogalo bounced back and recaptured the seat and successfully defended it in the 1979 general elections, but lost the seat to a prominent Kisumu lawyer, James Miruka Owuor in 1983. Owuor, however did not seek re-election in 1988 and Midika won his old seat back, representing the area between 1988 and 1992.

Soon after the grisly killing of the late Dr. John Robert Ouko, the former Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, the then Minister for Water Development Hon. Wilson Ndolo Ayah was switched to the Foreign Ministry and Midika was appointed the Minister for Regional Development.

But he only served briefly in the cabinet before losing the divided Nyando, which was then Mohoroni to Hon MP Aloo Ogeka, from Kabodho- Nyakach, a settler in Mohoroni Farming Scheme. Aloo's term was not appreciated by the low landers as well as the Mohoroni indigenous clans because of his eloquent English vocabulary speeches in local public gathering. The old folks and the uneducated did not like him, saying, YAWA JANYAKACH NI SUNGORE GI DHO KISUNGU KATA E LIETE, OK ODHI ODHUM E BUNGE. In the first multi party general election of 1992, Aloo contested the election on a Ford-Kenya ticket. At this time around, Nyando was split into two parliamentary constituencies with the creation of Muhoroni.

Otieno Karan won Nyando on Ford-Kenya ticket, but lost the seat to Paul Orwa Otita in controversial circumstances in 1997. The election was thought to have been won by Mr. Charles Aguko, a Nairobi based businessman and the son of the first African Administrator, Aguko K'omoro from Kabonyo- Sub-Clan in Kadibo. But Aguko's victory was turned upside down on the instruction of the late Kisumu town MP, Job Henry Onyango Omino, who influenced the issuing of nomination certificate to Paul Otita, his fellow Jakarateng' cousin, who is a sojourner in Nyando. Some believe that Lumumba Ouya also had a hand in Aguko's loss because of the bad blood of Kadhiambo between Mzee Ouya's and the Aguko's Family. Otita was sent packing by the current MP Eng. Eric Opon Nyamunga who won the year 2002 election on a Narc ticket.

This time around, Eng. Nyamunga is likely to face half a dozen or so aspirants in an election that will be based mainly in clan politics .

Kabonyo sub-clan
One of them is the excessively arrogant Fred Outa, who is currently involved in the revival of the rice production scheme in both Ahero and Kabonyo schemes. Outa hails from Kabonyo sub-clan. Kabonyo is home to other notables, like Dr Omonga, the long serving Agriculturist with Catholic Relief Services based in Nairobi, who likewise has commendable record in development. Dr Okeyo Owuor, a re-known Researcher and Senior lecturer at Moi University, is also from Kabonyo Sub-Clan. He founded the WICHHAM PROJECT, which has activities across the Lake Basin wetland in Poverty Reduction. He is very popular at the grassroots but has been avoiding politics. Both of these doctors hold sway in Nyando Politics.

Mr Outa however is said to have poured cold waters on the Kabonyo sub-clan's efforts to field only one aspirant as they did in 1997. Outa is also being discredited for the alleged fraudulent handling of rice produce from the small-scale growers and unrealistic deduction of farmers dues.

According the locals, Outa is already bragging that he is the confidant of the ODM-K luminaries, Raila Odinga included. Each time there is any public gathering a the late Jaramogi's home in Kango Banto, he has always sent out one tonne load of top grade rice for feeding guests, but as part of bribe for Raila's favours in return. In recent months, he has unilaterally made efforts to open ODM-K offices in Ahero and Awasi on his own without consulting other local leaders. His handling of rice crops from the farmers in both Ahero and Kabonyo schemes has made him to be unpopular person. Farmers claim his rice schemes are full of intrigues and unrealistic deduction of farmer's dues.

A part from his novice political strategy, he is someone to watch. His NGO has done much to the Nyando people.

Wawidhi sub-clan
Another aspirant is the Canada based Lawyer-cum-journalist, Mr. Miguna Miguna who hails from the minority Wawidhi sub-clan, which is the same sub-clan as the incumbent MP, Eng. Nyamunga and also the former Jaramogi aide Agindo Oyamo (TEL TEL, who even though he was close to Odinga's family, he has never won any election in Nyando either as councilor or MP).

Eng Nyamunga was anointed as the single candidates from the Sub-Clan by the Wawidhi Council Elders in 2005 at the same time Mzee Nelson Muga was enthroned the Kano Ogai, and a strong member of Riwruok Dongo Kano Manyien (RIDOKAM), headed by Veteran Unionist Mzee Adel Kitoto. This was no simple gesture on the part of jo-Wawidhi, but a recognition of Eng. Nyamunga's many contributions to their welfare. Thus Eng. Nyamunga is expected to get nearly all of Wawidhi votes, leaving Miguna with only a handful of votes from his immediate family.

Kochogo sub-clan
The only man who could possibly shake Nyamunga off comes from the merger with KANU. KANU politician Mr. Paul D. Gogo, who hails from Kochogo sub-clan is likely to give Nyamunga a run for his money. Gogo contested in 2002 and was second in race. But this time around, his party KANU's support under the ODM K is said to be ready for the battle. He is also popular among the Kochogo but is often arrogant and short tempered. He runs a successful insurance company in Nairobi and is development conscious with a good truck record..

Another credible personality from Kochogo who could also pose a threat to the incumbent MP is Maxwel Otieno Odongo. But rumour has it that he may have succumbed and is now supporting Fred Outa, who is the most unpopular among the aspirants, after Miguna.

Two other aspirants are said to be in the process of joining the Nyando race. They are John Obura Dimo, a KRA Backlift and Eng. Oyuka Dumo, who is being credited for having initiated numerous economic projects in Nyando. Mr. Charles Aguko is also said to the rearing to go full blast for the seat. At the same time, the Bondo Town Clerk Lumumba Ouya is also said to be in the race.

We are yet to established, whether the Former Police Commissioner Philemon Abongo will enter the race too, he is recently been seen at his home receiving delegations from Nyando, and sending donations to Women and Youth Groups in Nyando. He is also from Kochogo-Sub-Clan.

Kobura sub-clan
Little is known of the desire to contest of the Former controversial PC Peter Raburu, now an ordained Pastor. He has been working in many development projects in Nyando, particularly Education. He remains an influential figure in Nyando politics.

He may or may not run, but the Kobura-Sub-Clan cannot be underrated in Nyando politics. They are many in number and very united in Kadibo when it comes to voting.

Eng. Ely Aguko, also from Kobura, is another person who has not spoken yet. But he has a great resume, having worked with the community as the Project Coordinator with the Germany Developement agency in providing clean water wells and other developments.

Mr Otieno Raguma, the Kenya Revenue Authority Commissioner and Mohoroni Factory (in Receivership) also commands respect in his Kobura Clan. Otieno and Aguko are cousins with their mothers hailing from Gem Rae in Nyakach, and are very close.

East African MP Otieno Karan, can not be ruled out either. His weight in Nyando politics should not be taken for granted by anyone contesting in Nyando.

Jo Diaspora
There are several capable Diaspora potential candidates still watching the unfolding events from afar. Mr Ben Ondoro (AKA, Ondoro ma Nyakwar Ondoro, ma wuon Ondoro, osiep Duncan Oguta), from Katolo, a very humble, generous man and the President of Kenyans Living in Ontario (KANO), is very popular in the Diaspora and at home. He is also the Co-Founder of Ramogi Luo Devlopment in Canada together with Rev Okoth Otura. Ondoro is said to be very close with Raila007-USA, and is said to be the engine behind the success of the Raila's Visit to Toronto last year. Also last year, Ondoro and Rev Okoth Otura hosted the famous GidiMaji, the UNBWONGEBLE Luo political activists, in Toronto.

Then there are the Odottes' from Kakola, the Mbeches' from Wang'aya and Dr. Obonyo, who are all close friends of Raila. They are strength of the Kenya Dispora diversity, and are admired by the Kanos in diaspora as well as at home.

Some of the issues which are likely to dominate the campaign include poor roads in Nyando Division, which are impassable, apparently washed away by the recent heavy rains, Farming, Education Institutions and health care.

But people are predicting an easy victory for the incumbent Eng. Erick Opon Nyamunga, going by his credentials in fair disbursement of CDF and other government monies. The sitting MP stands a better chance of retaining his seat.

In fact, the more aspirants emerge, the better chance for him to retain his seat.