Tuju vs Raila? Not A Chance!

I am responding to one Nyar Ugenya's article entitled "Comparing Raila and Tuju - Is That Such a Crime". Nyar Ugenya's article is well captioned for Tuju is nowhere close to Raila's league. Tuju has a long way to go because he is supposedly a representative of the people yet his sycophantic approach makes him so out of touch with the people.

Since I do not wish to repeat the specifics of Tuju vs Raila, that others have covered very well in this and other forums, I will take a different approach and urge Nyar Ugenya and her supporters to move away from speculative and simplistic political analysis, and take time to understand Luo Nyanza's political economy.

We did not wish to be isolated by successive central governments and WE REFUSE to compromise on our demand for equitable distribution of the national cake. What Nyar Ugenya and her backers are urging us to do is that we trade unconditional loyalty for a packet of 'Jambo' maize meal. What the people of Luo Nyanza have said all along is that we are as Kenyan as everyone else and all we are seeking are consistent political instruments that will ensure sustenance of our fishermen and children for generations. If Nyar Ugenya is doubting whom I speak for, then stay tuned for the Luo Nyanza results of Elections 2007.

On the specifics of Rarieda development, I will let those from Rarieda make expert judgment and I refer readers to this article http://www.africanpath.com/p_blogEntry.cfm?blogEntryID=596 by one Jared Odero, who like myself, thinks that Tuju's hyped development record is a myth and nothing out of the ordinary. In his article Mr. Odero, who is from Rarieda, states, "... outside commentators should take time to visit the region and draw a line between public services, which is a right for every Kenyan, and development projects initiated by individuals or an MP ..." This is what I urge Nyar Ugenya to do.

In attempting to quantify Tuju's development success against Raila's, Nyar Ugenya posed a challenge that she be told "what Raila has done for his Langata constituency". Whereas I do not know of a fairer accountability mechanism beyond electoral results, it is simply idiotic to underrate the expectations of Langata constituents who time and again feel comfortable enough to renew their contract with Raila. Representation is about advocating for and advancing the peoples wishes. It is a political dilemma that if misused evokes bitter tastes of betrayal. This is where Tuju has gone wrong, for the people of Luo Nyanza want a just system and not conditional handouts. Raila on the other hand must be doing enough positive things to feel secure about his seat as Langata M.P.

Raila represents an area that includes what is said to be the largest slum in Africa. Kibera slums were there before Raila and if Nyar Ugenya is sincere she may have noticed that the prevailing political environment - that has seen renewed cooperation with external multinational partners in such longer term structural and social reforms as slum upgrading - was made possible by liberation heroes like Raila. My point is that it is simply not educated to judge Tuju's record against Raila's solely based on selective visible structures. It is such simplistic analysis that negate the essence of legislating and fighting for consistent and longer term pro-people social and economic reforms. 'Nyar Kumoro', please think deep and I leave it to Langata constituents to confirm what they think of Raila come Election 2007.

Simon Agwanda Owuor
Kisumiu Democracy Institute (KIDI)
http://www.kisumudemocracyinstitute.org/