Kisumu
24/10/07
 
YINDA TAKES THE EARLY LEAD IN ALEGO - USONGA PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCY.

By Bob Ndira Uradi (Leo Odera Omolo)
 
The latest development in Alego - Usonga politics has indicated that a Mombasa based business tycoon has taken the early lead in the scramble for the area’s Parliamentary seat.
 
Mr. Edwin Ochieng’ Yinda now lead the pack of close to 20 parliamentary aspirants. The upsurge in his popularity came about two weeks ago following the widely spread rumours that the former KANU supremo in Siaya has taken the ODM nomination papers from Mwenge House, Nairobi. And is now seeking the party ticket to contest the election as a fully paid ODM member.
 
Yinda a soft spoken businessman - cum politician who at one time gave the former Alego - Usonga MP Peter Castro Oloo - Aringo a run for his money in a closely contested election in 1988 is credited for having contributed immensely towards the  development projects in the area.
 
After losing the most grueling election battle against Oloo Aringo, Yinda took a low political profile but he embarked on a quiet maneuver visiting his Ng’iya based political home on weekly basis during which time he consulted widely with his former supporters on the ground and constituents in general.
 
Yinda could have beaten Aringo hand down in 1988, but only lost the election because he was in the wrong party (KANU) while Oloo Aringo was technically also in KANU, but leaning towards the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga left with political ideologies.
 
This time around emerging reports from the ground are pointing out that Yinda is the most popular among the close to two dozens aspirants vying for the same seat.
 
The outgoing immediate former MP Sammy Weya is trailing in the tail end. Weya stood no chance of recapturing his seat. The real battle of the giants will be between Prof. Florence Oduol, Peter Oloo Aringo, Nicholas Rajula and Charles Odinga Mamba a Kisumu based hotelier.
 
Several opinion leaders interviewed this week in Siaya confirmed that Yinda waves of support has taken the usually quiet Siaya Municipality by storm.
 
‘’We want to compensate Mr. Yinda by sending to the August House for five years on the account of his credible attitude towards the development of numerous economic projects in the area.
 
Yinda said Mzee J. Oduor has done a lot for the people and now that he has abandoned KANU and he is firm in ODM we shall vote for him.
 
Oloo Aringo, they said had represented Alego - Usonga for close to 22 years, but left nothing to his credit on the ground, though he had even served in the cabinet former KANU regime as a Minister for well over 10 years.
 
The battle will be between Yinda, Prof Oduol Charles Odinga Mamba, Oloo Aringo and Nicholas Rajula. One among the four would definitely say through the ODM preliminaries but the ground now favour Yinda than any other aspirant.
 
This is due to the fact that Siaya town which the largest concentrations of voters are Yinda stronghold but most of the many aspirants have yet to be on the ground but now that parliament is dissolved the aspirants are expected to intensify their campaign with the next two weeks.
 
‘’Alego- Usonga has for many years been represented by unproductive and ineffective MPs. This has contributed largely to the stagnation of development but this time around the voters are quite awake. We want an MP who can deliver the goods and Yinda is the only trustworthy person, ‘’said Mr. S. Ooko a prominent businessman in Siaya Town.
 
Ends.
leooderaomolo@yahoo.com