Candidates begging Raila in luoland

By Joseph Ochieng

With the registration Orange Democratic Movement-Kenya as a political party, politics in Luo Nyanza has now changed.

All aspiring candidates in Luo land are now competing for Raila Odinga’s attention.

But as that is happening, a word has already been sent out to broadcaster-turned Foreign Affairs Minister Raphael Tuju, to starting packing up his belonging to leave the Rarieda Seat.

At the door step, ready to replace the proud foreign affairs minister are Engineer Gumbe , Otiende Amolo and the Law Society of Kenya Chairman , Tom Ojienda.

Life has not been easy for Tuju and his Mobile Clinic as back home he is viewed as a an outcast by the community for romancing with President Kibaki and his Narc-Kenya party.

But as a true media man, Tuju has always learnt to put up a brave face even when he knows that he is swimming against the Raila current in his home turf.

The fracas which occurred in Kisumu and other parts of Luo Nyanza, when the good minister insisted to hold series of banana campigns during the referendums, deaths occurred in Kisumu and Luos have not forgiven Tuju.

And in the neighboring Alego-Usonga constituency, over 10 aspirants are already jostling for Raila’s attention.

Incidentally, Raila’s Mother, Mary Odinga hails from this expansive constituency and that is why for years Alego-Usonga has been so important, at least politically, to the Odingas.

The high number of candidates who want MP Sammy Waya out of Alego is a reflection of the feeling of the people on the ground.

From Uranga, to Ng’iya , from Boro to Yimbo and from Siya to Ukwala people believe that Weya is a big let down. Weya has abandoned them just as his name means in Dholuo.

It is also said that since he was brought all the way from Australia to be their Member of Parliament, he has abandoned them and now that he is sensing bad tidings he has started roaming around with Raila.

Among those said to stand a good chance of removing the Australian–reared man is Edwing Ochieng’ Yinda.

But this will not be his first time to go for the Alego-Usonga parliamentary seat. He tried his hands in politics 1997 on a KANU ticket and lost respectably to veteran Politican Peter Oloo Aringo.

Yinda, who is a prominent Mombasa businessman got tired of KANU politics and resigned as its Siaya KANU branch chairman to concentrate on his chain of business in Mombasa.

However, this time he has bounced back into big time politics on an ODM-Kenya ticket and he has already launched major campaign machinery on the ground led by George Abaja and Siaya Opaka.

It is believed that Yinda is in very good books with Raila Odinga.

Also in fast lane for the Alego seat is Nairobi based Lawyer Paul Amuga who is said to enjoy massive support from professionals.

He is said to be doing numerous trips back home to help initiate development projects in the area.

Lawyer Amuga has a hand in Hawinga Girls Secondary School recent expansion and setting up of Sirinde Secondary School.

Siaya Mayor Orwenjo Umidha is an old hand in Alego politics where he has tried several times to capture the seat but has tumbled in as many times before deciding to go for civic seat in the last General elections.

But this time , he has vowed to try once more to win the seat, saying that he has won many hearts as a mayor by showing what he can do when entrusted with the a parliamentary seat.

A Kisumu Hotelier Achieng’ Odunga Mamba is also rolling up his sleeve to wrestle the Alego seat from the high flying Sammy Weya.

Unlike the other aspirants who are hoping for Raila’s blessings, Odunga Mamba who is like a father to Alego people in Kisumu, is depending on Dr Oburu Odinga who is a frequent visitor to his Mamba Hotel in Kisumu.

Although long time serving area MP Peter Oloo Aringo is rearing to go again for the seat he lost to Sammy Weya, but their party might be spoilt by former Chairman of Non–Governmental Organisations, Oduor Ong’wen.

One advantage Ong’wen has over the other 10 plus aspirants is that he has a name, by being one of the most successful chairmen of NGOs in the country.

Ong’wen is also proud to be a leading Kibaki Critic in that party of Luo Nyanza.

Ends……..

Joseph Ochieng'
Reporter-Kenya Times
P.O.Box 40675
Mobile-0721-632525
E-mail joseph.ochieng at yahoo dOT cOm
Website.www.timesnews.co.ke
Mombasa-Kenya