IN RESPONSE TO LEO ODERA OMOLO OVER KASIPUL KABONDO ASPIRANTS

Allow me members of Jaluo.com to respond or clarify some issues that one Leo Odera Omolo wrote on January 12, 2007 under the title "15 Aspirants Troop Up for the Kasipul Kabondo Parliamentary Seat". I feel duty bound to do this because, I was mentioned in a wrong light and to correct factual matters about Kasipul Kabondo.

Mr. Omolo, my name is Odingo (not Odongo) Odak. True, I am a son of your "friend" the late Richard Odak Oloo who was a prominent businessman in South Nyanza. I moved to the US in 1986. I stayed there for 20 years. I moved back to Kenya in April 2006. I went to the US on my own accord and left on my own accord. During the 20 years, I went to school and worked there. The last 10 years I ran my own business.

I left the US in April 2006 but has since gone back twice, in August 2006 and in December 2006 to attend to personal matters. I am free to go back to the US at any time. To update your diary, I'll visit the US again in April 2007. Next time you want to write about me, kindly contact me so that you get the correct picture. Rumours and allegations can easily be clarified. I am domiciled in Kisumu.

Now, let me put you straight on matters about Kasipul Kabondo and the aspirants you named in your list of 15 aspirants. You do not know much about Kasipul Kabondo. You seem to be reporting in a hurry to get paid by the people you want to promote.

The residents of Kasipul Kabondo are descendants of both Sipul and Bondo. The two are not cousins. Sipul is the first son of Rachuonyo but Bondo (who is actually an "outsider") is loosely related to Omalla, the cousin of Jo Kasipul. Omalla did not sire a son so Bondo was put in his house to "help" after he died. He (Bondo) gave birth to Omalla to perpetuate the name of Omalla. Besides the indigenous Jo Kasipul and Jo Kabondo, there are over 100 outsiders who now call Kasipul Kabondo home.

The current MP for Kasipul Kabondo may be an outsider (J 'Asembo) but his grandparents were born in Kabondo. His father did not come from Asembo as you stated.

Here is some important information about Konyango clan in Kasipul - it covers four locations, Kakelo in East Kasipul and East, West and North Kamagak Locations in Central Kasipul. Onyango had two sons Bassa (husband of Akelo) and Magak. The following in your list come from Konyango clan in Central & East Kasipul - Eng. Tom Awino Okoko (West Kamagak Location), Dr Wenwa Akinyi Oginga Oranga (East Kamagak), Odingo Odak (West Kamagak), Dr Antony Were Omolo (North Kamagak), Dr Kenneth Kambona (Kakelo) and his cousin Dr Richard Otieno Muga (Kakelo).

The name is JOSEPH OYUGI MAGWANGA not Ouma Maguwanga.

The name is PHILIP OUMA OWIDI not Philip Otieno Owidi.

Dr Otieno Mbare has a doctorate in Science (DSc). He is a lecturer at Abo University in Finland. Check his website out. Kindly respect my brother.He is a true academic.

Sam Rateng' K'Otiende is not unemployed. He is self employed. I thought you would know better because he is your ex-stepson. How you did it in Kanyango in Kasipul and you are from Kisumo beats Luo cultural logic.

You may be writing for someone to give them the impression that they are front runners in the upcoming parliamentary elections in Kasipul Kabondo, but remember you are not from the area and you have issues really mixed up. But then again, you have to eat, so they must pay you.

In my honest opinion, the battle for the next MP for Kasipul Kabondo will be between Magwanga and former MP Hon William Oloo Otula (if I excuse myself). The two are working day and night in development projects in the constituency. Winning an election involve funds, connections, political machine and structure. Whoever combines the best of the four will be the next MP for Kasipul Kabondo.

I hope that helps you when you pen your next article on Kasipul Kabondo politics.

Odingo Odak,
Kasipul Kabondo.