Kisumu
  19/09/07
 
RAILA'S FANATIC SUPPORTERS AND UNPOPULAR LUO MPS COULD RUIN HIS CHANCES OF WINNING THE PRESIDENCY.

Commentary By Leo Odera Omolo

The Lang'ata MP Raila Amolo is arguably a popular politician on his own right. His political clout and influence has extended beyond tribal boundaries.

Raila has transformed himself from radical combative kind of politics to that of a true statesmanship and nationalist.

Agwambo, however, is being stabbed at the back and betrayed by his own fanatic supporters both in Luo Nyanza and beyond who reportedly are the one responsible for scuffling what is the otherwise good measure of grueling campaign to State House.

The fanatical demonstration of support by excessively dragged and drunken youths who in the process beat up and insult everyone who crosses their path is the undoing. Raila's over zealous supporters are full of vitriols rhetorics against non - Luos whenever they opened their very venomous mouths.

I recently came across one leaflet being circulated around Rongo constituency alleging that the aspirant in Rongo Parliamentary seat Dalmas Otieno had casted his vote for Musalia Mudavadi during the ODM Presidential nomination at the Kasarani Sports Complex. It was one of the cheapest kinds of falsified accusation aimed at discrediting Mr. Otieno.

The leaflet which was written in broken Dho - Luo vernacular language further alleged that Mr. Otieno and the Road and Works Minister Simeon Nyachae had agreed secretly to stir up tribal clashes between the Luos and the Kisiis. Such provocative leaflets only work in favour of Raila Odinga enemies. This is because the ODM presidential candidate had a large following among the Abagusii people. Nyachae is highly respected leader within his community therefore disparaging words contained in such leaflets could act in restrospective against Agwambo.

On the very day when Agwambo won the ODM Presidential nomination at Kasarani his fanatic supporter had erected illegal road block at Nyamasaria suburbs of Kisumu town where they stoned the innocent motorists driving towards Kisumu City.

Raila's supporters must stop loose talk against non - Luos and usher in responsible behaviours. They must create democratic space for others with diverse opinion to express themselves freely without being beaten or molested by idlers and political goons. Such action only fuels suspicion about the kind of government to be headed by a Luo!

The recent incidences of stoning of both Mr. Nduira Maina and Stanley Livondo in Lang'ata only work to the advantage of Raila's opponents. Such acts of political thuggery give no added value to Raila's murkey road to State House.

The ongoing crusade by the unpopular and unwanted out going Luo MPs in their perceived campaign to drum up Raila's support in Luo - Nynza is retrogressive and uncalled for. After all, nearly amost every Luo person supports Agwambo's presidential bid.

A team led by Mbita MP Otieno Kajwang' recently made tactical errors in calling a series of public rallies in Southern Nyanza a move which was unfortunate.

The MP used unprintable words classifying those opposed to their re-election to parliament as 'Agwambo's enemies'. They bragged openly how they have been assured of the party free and easy nomination process against all new aspirants. They did so bluntly and unknowingly that some of the new aspirants are the darling of the electorate.

These gentlemen of parliament had nothing to offer on their own and so they cling to Raila's name as 'ticks'. Why can't they visit areas outside Luo Nyanza and propagate support for Raila in other communities! After all, Agwambo will not be a Luo president, but the national leader of all the Kenyan communities.

Luos must learn to be cohesive and respect other people if at all members of this particular community wanted to be taken seriously. What Raila's fanatical supporters are doing by their way of recklessness is to the disadvantage of their son's chances of clinching the coveted office on the land. Raila truly deserve this job, but he must first of all restrain his unwanted Luo MPs from curtailing the essence of democratic principles in Luo - Nyanza otherwise the ODM would be a laughing stock among many other parties.

Let the erratic Luo MPs come back to the community and explain what they have done to the electorate ever since December 2002. Otherwise their unwarranted and cancelled for campaign to conceal their failures would be exposed despite of endless invocation of ''Agwambo's'' name whenever they opened their mouths.

The MPs should defend their seats on the account of individual's credit and not collectively. They should properly account for the CDF cash and defend their own track record of service to the people. Let them be humble to other people.

Ends.

leooderaomolo@yahoo.com