The race to
succeed the current crop of Members of the County Assemblies will no doubt prove to
be the toughest in the forthcoming general elections which be held in less than 13
months.
The current
ward representatives, largely elected from the crop of the former councilors
with old order thinking are expected to be kicked out by individuals viewed as energetic
and vibrant.
Already a
team of young, flamboyant, educated, civilized and go getters has trained their
eyes on the various seats, both at the National and County Assemblies promising
to inject fresh blood and accountability into county politics.
One worry
though a section of voters across the country are skeptical about their bid and
it will take more than just convincing the electorates with their flashy manifestos
coupled with exaggerated queens language for them to invest in young leaders
again.
Young people
who were trusted to deliver in 2013 have fallen short of the expectations with
electorates accusing them of being self seekers who have renegade on their primary
role of legislation, representation and over sight but are rather out to enrich
themselves at the expenses constituents/ward residents.
That
notwithstanding a new crop of young leaders have decided to defy all odds
against them and risk have everything by launching massive campaigns that have
send shivers down the spines of the incumbent MCAs.
The battle
to retain the seats or be elected as new Members of the County Assemblies will be a
tough one if the expensively assembled campaign machinery seen on the ground is
anything to go by.
A spot check
closer home in Nyanza and in Nairobi on selected wards gave me this experience.
In Kisumu
County two or more wards will be on the spot following high stakes associated
with them from power broking to business interests and party loyalty (ODM).
Just like in
the last general elections, Market/Milimani ward, Migosi and Kondele all in
Kisumu Central constituency will be closely monitored. The Asian community and
businessmen/women will be very much interested on who becomes the next MCA for
Market/Milimani ward to carter for their vast business interests.
The ward has
so far attracted 3 strong candidates Alex Owino, Seth Kanga and Eric Ocholla
that are fighting to unseat the current MCA Edwin Anayo who has come under
heavy criticism from across section of the ward residents on his leadership
style.
1.
ALEX
OWINO.
Considered as
the front runner in the race to unseat Edwin Anayo, Aleki Alex as he is popularly
referred to by his peers, blends well with the youths and women.
During the concluded
February mass voter registration, he used his personal resources to supplement the party efforts in ensuring an increase in voter registration.
Born and
bred in kisumu in the early 80’s Alex Owino went to Kisii High School before
joining the Kenya College of Accountancy KCA where he graduated with a degree
in Information Technology.
He runs a
chain of businesses in Kisumu including general supplies and a number of shops
on Oginga-Odinga Street dealing in phones and computer accessories. His
campaigned is anchored on 3 major pillars; Youth and Women empowerment,
Education/entrepreneurship and accountable leadership.
To actualize
his dream of representing Market/Milimani ward residents in the County
Assembly he will have to beat Seth Kanga who is believed to be the party’s
choice and has a strong base at the Bus Park and Social Hall.
Seth Kanga
lost narrowly to Edwin Anayo in the last elections and the incumbent has on
many occasions admitted that beating Kanga who is known among his peers as ‘Adui
Nyang’ is not a walk in the park.
Anayo on his
part has remained non-committal over his 2017 candidature choosing to keep his
cards closer to his chest even as others whisper to this blog that he may not
defend his seat as he is considered to be a possible candidate for running mate
to Dr. Hezron MC’Obewa who is vying for the position Governor Kisumu County.
If that happens
then Market/Milimani ward will be a two horse race between Seth Kanga Adui
Nyang’ and Alex Owino Aleki Alex with pharmacist Erick Ochallo being the flower
girl.
Alex Owino is a committed family man with an adoring wife and two children.
2.
JOHN RIAGA.
John Riaga,
32 year old communications expert, a director at JR Consultants which is a
communications and PR Consulting firm operating in Kisumu County.
He has a
Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication and a Degree in Communications and
Media Studies from Maseno University.
He was among
the first journalists to work for Royal Media Services as their Western Kenya
Editorial Director before moving to KEMRI/CDC as the communications officer.
He’s currently a Unit Manager at the CIC Insurance Company Kisumu branch.
Riaga is
seeking to represent the people of Central Kasipul at the Homabay County
Assembly that is currently under the leadership of Zackary Olang.
He’s taken
issue with the MCA over lack of basic amenities like proper health facilities, clean
pipe water and electricity.
He has earmarked
education as his top agenda with the transformation of Agoro Sare Secondary
School into a Center of Excellence.
His leadership will revolve around forming
partnerships that will see the full construction of Oyugis-Kendubay road to
ease connectivity and enhance economic empowerment among his ward residents.
Riaga has
built a strong network and cordial relationship with both the political and business
leaders that Central Kasipul seriously needs to move forward.
John Riaga
is married with two beautiful girls and he is a staunch Adventist who is committed
to church.
3.
FREDRICK
OCHIENG OPANGA
Fredrick
Opanga, 25 years old and an insurer by profession, born and raised in Ugenya where
he did his early primary and secondary education before joining the Kenya
Institute of Management where he graduated with a Diploma in Purchasing and
Supplies. He further holds a certificate in Insurance from the College of
Insurance.
He has
declared his interest in the North-Ugenya ward that is currently under the
representation of Sabban Omar.
Through the Fredrick Opanga Foundation, he
continues to make inroads into the ward by initiating various development projects
and has earmarked education of both young girls and boys as his key entry
point.
He has poked
holes into the leadership of Sabban accusing him ineptitude which has seen the
ward lag behind in terms of development. He cited lack of a 24 hour health Centre
which has led to an increase in maternal deaths that could be easily prevented
through good governance.
Other
critical components of his manifesto includes; Infrastructural development, Modern
Agriculture with value addition, women and youth empowerment and the elderly
empowerment.
Fred Opanga
is married with two beautiful girls.
4.
VICTOR
OTIENO JUMA (JAKAMBARE).
Since the
promulgation of the new constitution that gave birth to County Governments, a bigger
percentage of professionals have continued to show interest in going back to
serve in their home counties.
Victor Juma
known as Jakambare has broken away from that thinking and decided to test the
waters in Nairobi where he has declared his interest to wrestle it out with
other candidates for the Upper Savannah ward of Embakasi East Constituency in
Nairobi County.
Born 26
years ago in Kisumu city, Victor went to Highway Primary School then Kisumu Day
High School, he later moved to Nairobi where he joined the Kenya College of Accountancy
where he studied accountancy.
Jakambare
whose rural home is in Gem of Siaya County has taken issue with his current MCA
Benard Amutabi whom he has accused of biasness in resource allocation like the bursary fund to the needy students.
A one on one
engagement with him revealed details of his campaign manifesto that majorly
focuses on creating conducive environment for investors considering that Upper
Savannah ward mainly consists of the middle class.
He admits
the complex dynamics of the city politics but has not fall short of
acknowledging that the ODM party dominates the entire constituency thus the
battle for the Upper Savannah ward will be determined during the ODM primaries.
His key entry
point to the politics of Upper Savannah that consists of ‘Wadosi’ as they are
referred to in Nairobi remains accountable leadership.
His other
main focus for the ward is empowerment of the youths through various training to
sharpen their enterprenual skills and his personal allocation of seed money for
business startups as they envisage being job creators and not seeker.
A recently
conducted opinion poll that was sponsored by the Residents Association of Upper
Savannah, put Victor at 68% above his opponents with the sitting MCA Amutabi only managing
11%.
5.
GABBY
OCHIENG VS JOACHIM OKETCH.
Kondele
which in other words has always been referred to as ‘Darfur’ will definitely attract
more attention and anyone who becomes
the next MCA will not just be your any other ordinary person but must also
blend well with the residents and hold the ‘Kijana wa Mtaa’ tag.
Both the incumbent
Gabriel Ochieng and his closest challenger Joachim Oketch Swagger perfectly fit
that bill.
Gabby a soft
spoken religious man with strong networks within Manyatta area is seriously feeling
the heat from Swagger who has hyped his campaigns and is seen as the new ‘Sonko’
‘Wa Mtaa’.
That notwithstanding Gabby’s stronghold base Manyatta that enjoys the
largest voting share of the ward has through his agents branded Swagger as ‘Jadak’
prompting his supporters (Swagger) to create a Facebook paged christened ‘Kondele
Ni Kwetu’ that is mainly used to counter the incumbent.
80% of the
residents of Kondele ward have declared the next poll to be a two horse race
pitting Gabriel Ochieng ‘Ng’ata Ruoth’ and Joachim Oketch ‘Swagger’.
Swagger’s
life style has also raised eyebrows with people questioning his massive wealth
considering that he graduated from The University of Nairobi in 2009 and has barely worked for less than 7 years.
The
incumbent has in the past called for life style audit on Swagger even as others
accuse him (Gabby) of misusing Ward Development Fund for his personal gains.
As we enter
the home stretch the volatile ward of Kondele will be of keen interest and it
will also be closely monitored by ODM headquarters.
6.
PAUL ACHAYO
VS DAGGY OWILA.
This will be
another interesting battle to follow, Paul Achayo, wuod Japuonyo continue to
walk with his head high saying he will be judged on his development track.
Several
people I have talked to within Migosi have admitted to the fact that they would
want to replace like yesterday but have not seen any serious challenger who can
match him on equal footing thus putting him as the favorite to retain the seat.
Daggy’s
entry into the race was highly welcomed but his camp has been kept at bay by settling
numerous infighting rather than concentrating on campaign trail. This has been occasioned
by the argument that ‘Who’ should be entrusted with the responsibility to
advancing his agenda.
The noble
idea of ‘Warembo na Daggy’ initiative that sent Paul Achayo back to the drawing
board has also been infiltrated and continue to suffer setbacks following massive
withdrawals of the beauty queens from the facebook and whatsapp groups.
Daggy is also
yet to come out strongly and defend himself over accusations of being a gay or
rather working with trans-gender groups.
Achayo’s
critics say he has turned into ‘A small god’ after becoming an overnight
millionaire following his close association with Governor Jack Ranguma.
They accuse him
of high handedness with contractors working on various projects in his ward
being favored on different grounds like ‘Friendship’ or even ‘Relatives’
Several factors though still favor him like his close links with the ODM high
party leadership and his childhood networks that have remained intact for over
3 decades.
ENDS.
