IS NYANZA READY FOR ODINGA PRESIDENCY...? ?

As the country nears the political home stretch in 2017, one man remains on everyone’s lips following his numerous attempts to ascend to presidency.

Raila Amolo Odinga’s chances of occupying the House on the Hill becomes more realistic as we approach the finish line considering the painful fact that this could actually be his last stab on the job.

Recent activities in his Nyanza back yard are seen by political analysts as one way of putting a firm grip back at home before he takes off to endear himself to other regions of the country as the favorable candidate in the forthcoming general election.  

According to Adams Oloo a senior political analyst, the recent party polls more so in Nyanza though not very credible as perceived by a section of the political divide there are clear indications that Raila Odinga has set the stage running with the re-branding of his 2017 vehicle to State House.

Oloo, one of the country’s renowned political pundits admits that Mr. Odinga still commands the good will of Kenyans across the country and if a few issues are put in place at the right time then this coming general election can offer the best platform for him to form the next government because a bigger percentage have lost faith in the current regime that is dogged with massive corruption, run away insecurity and bad governance.

Raila Odinga is reinventing himself and he knows very well some of the challenges within his party that have partly contributed to his loss in the previous polls, thus he is not taking any chances with the people to entrust with the leadership of ODM as the march to State house begins in 2016.

There has been widespread complains about the credibility of the party’s top hierarchy with the conduct of the national chair John Mbadi being put on the spot following his continuous personal attacks on individuals within Nyanza who are perceived not to toe the party line.

Just a fort night ago in Kisumu during the Luo Cultural Festival at the Kenyatta sports ground, the ODM national chair was heard calling on the residents to literally cane Kisumu Central MP Ken Obura for what he termed as contempt on the party leader and ODM.

It is this kind of leadership style that is being seen by many as more divisive especially now that we are all expected to rally behind ‘Jakom’ to actualize the one bullet idea.

In my own observation (Fred Madanje) as a journalist more work still need to be done in Nyanza to solidify it as one strong voting bloc for Raila Odinga. The Cord leader cannot afford to go into this race without his trusted and loyal brigades the likes of Prof Anyang Nyong’o and Senior counsel Senator James Orengo.

The decision by these two seasoned politicians to eye gubernatorial seats of Kisumu and Siaya counties might force the Son of Jaramogi to go back to the drawing board and groom other young politicians who can articulate his ideas nationally.

We all know that if these two politicians win the ODM tickets for their respective gubernatorial seats then they will be tied in the counties thus depriving the Coalition for democracy (CORD) of individuals with national appeal to fetch the presidential votes for Raila Odinga.

Word going round on the streets of Kisumu is that Nyong’o and Orengo have lost hope of Raila Odinga’s presidential bid and are looking for a soft landing in their respective counties as governors.

These uncertainties in Nyanza if not sorted out in due time then we might as well go into the general elections a divided house and the Raila Odinga presidency will just remain another pipe dream.

On the boxing day of 2015, a meeting was called at the Kisumu hotel and was attended by professionals and seasoned politicians who are feeling left out in the kitchen cabinet of Raila Odinga despite having come along way with him and going forward they want to own him back and take him away from other young leaders whom they have accused of ‘Hijacking’ the former premier.

The meeting was convened by former Raila ally Ken Ogana and was attended by among other Nyakach MP Aduma Owuor and one Mr. Okong’o- the ODM coordinator from Homabay County.

Some of the concerns raised in that meeting were that a clique of young new politicians whom they say have surrounded the former PM are now controlling him, citing  Homabay women Rep Gladys Wanga, ODM chairman John Mbadi, Kabondo-Kasipul MP silvance Osele and Raila’s aide Silas Jakakimba as the major impediment to an all inclusive campaign team.

Going forward I believe that this joggling of power around Raila Odinga among other issues like party nominations must be dealt with very fast so that we move ahead as one house focused on the presidency of RAILA AMOLO ODINGA.

ENDS.

ODM SETS EYE ON 2017 WITH A FIRM GRIP OF NYANZA REGION

The Orange Democratic Movement ODM has set the stage rolling with a clear sight on 2017 general elections after it confirmed the newly elected grass root officials in Nyanza in the just concluded hotly contested polls.

The move is seen as part of a wider strategic plan the party has put in place to hold a firm grip on its strong hold before it reaching out to other regions.

Addressing the media in Kisumu when they presented the certificate to other branch officials, the Kisumu East Constituency chairman Robert Otuge expressed his confidence in the ODM National Elections Board (NEB) for presiding over a free and fair process.

He said their work is clearly cut out for them and their main agenda will be to conduct a massive ID and voter registration in their contribution in delivering the much awaited Raila Odinga presidency.

“I want to take this earliest opportunity to welcome everyone who competed against me back on board particular Kolwa East MCA Osumba Olum to join us as we start the journey to 2017 general elections’’ said Otuge.

The Kisumu East chairman reiterated what other leaders have been saying in the recent past that the luo nation unity is more paramount now more than ever because this is Raila Odinga’s last term and they cannot afford to entertain bickering at his own backyard.

Kisumu East Constituency committee member Steve Ouma said that the confirmation of his team by the National Elections Board has given them the much needed impetus to re-brand the party at the branch level.

“I want to confirm here today that we have decided as a team to embrace our competitors because the war before us cannot be won if there are divisions amongst ourselves’’ said Ouma.

He said they will work tireless to ensure that their branch emerges as the best and well coordinated unit that will deliver the much required votes for the party presidency and for ODM ticket holders.

Kisumu East parliamentary hopeful Nichalos Oricho said they will not only strive to register more voters but also to recruit more loyal party members who can be trusted and be used as agents during the elections.

“We aim to conduct a massive civic education as the party branch to tell our people the importance of holding an ID card not just for voting but also for empowering themselves and why its important to come out and vote on the election day’’ revealed Oricho.

Other counties in Nyanza where the National Elections Board cleared officials are Kisumu County where former Muhoroni MP Prof Ayiecho Olweny has been confirmed as county chairman contrary to other reports that had earlier announced Dave Okwatch as chairman.

In Homabay County, that has been the centre of attention with two powerful warring camps allied to county women Rep and Homabay town MP Opondo Kaluma, Wanga carried the day when Nyanza NEB Commissioner Peter Odoyo handed the certificate to her as the duly elected County chair person.

In her acceptance speech Gladys Wanga extended an olive branch to the Kaluma team and argued them to join her team as they form a formidable force to counter JAP in 2017.

Siaya County the chairman is Willaim Ohonde while Migori County is under the stewardship of Philip Mc’Abong’o.

The move by NEB to clear and confirm the elected candidates now brings to a close the endless bickering and infighting associated with the party and what remains now is for the new officials to embark on the serious work of re branding ODM ahead of the 2017 general elections.

ENDS.

WORRYING STATISTICS ON ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY BODA-BODA OPERATORS PROMPTS KISUMU BASED NGO TO CONDUCT SAFETY TRAINING.

                      NGO TRAINS CYCLISTS ON ROAD SAFETY.

The Cycling Out of Poverty Kenya Foundation (Coop-Kenya) has rolled out a massive awareness campaign program on road safety for boda-boda cyclists in Western Kenya.

The General Manager of Coop-Kenya Kennedy Ochieng Ombat said the cycling taxi system commonly referred to as ‘Boda boda’ has proved to the most convenient means of transport not only in the rural areas but also in urban centers thus the need to create more awareness.

“Recent findings from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) established that young boda boda riders aged between 19 and 39 years are reckless and not professionally trained thus causing high number of road accidents’’ revealed the Coop-Kenya MD.

He said that the decision to roll out this campaign was prompted by such worrying statistics and they are targeting to reach out to over 20,000 boda boda operators from all the counties in Nyanza and Western.

Speaking to the Media in Kisumu today at the sidelines of a training program for the operators, Ombat acknowledged that the boda boda sector has become part of the country's economy and cannot be ignored in any future planning on road safety.

“Today we have trained over 200 cyclists from Kisumu and Kakamega counties and equipped them with the necessary road safety knowledge that not only seek to prevent accidents but also to administer first aid to their passengers whenever an accident occurs” affirmed Ombat.

He revealed that the program will immediately resume at the beginning of New Year with trains in South Nyanza counties of Homabay and Migori.

The Coop-Kenya MD who was accompanied by the organization’s Programs Manager Clifford Okoth, appreciated other organizations they are partnering with in this program like the ministry of health through Siaya Referral Hospital, NTSA, Red Cross through St Johns Ambulance and the county government of Kisumu.

He said that the second of training on safety awareness which begins in January 2016, will see the operators get branded shades and bicycles for ease of management in their own groups and for ease of movement.

Today’s training saw the operators receive certificates and reflectors which they will use in their daily operations.

ENDS....

KISUMU CITY COMES ALIVE THIS SATURDAY WITH VYBEZ AWARDS.

  KISUMU COMES ALIVE THIS SATURDAY WITH VYBEZ AWARDS.

The Lake side city of Kisumu will tomorrow hold its 4^th edition of the annual event dubbed the Vybez awards that seek to showcase artists from Western Kenya region where various talents will be recognized and awarded.

The annual talent show organized by Kisumu’s entertain guru Mr Alex Owino a.k.a Aleki Alex under the stable Vybez crew will bring together artists from Western, Nyanza and parts of Rift Valley region.

Owino who is the CEO of the Vybez Awards said the event is aimed at bridging the gap which has been left by event organizers in Nairobi and Mombasa and to prove not only to the above mentioned areas but the entire Eastern Africa that Western Kenya has got talent.

Aleki said for many years, artists from Western Kenya have been excluded from events in Nairobi and Mombasa on flimsy reasons that they don’t offer quality stuff.

“We are not only awarding artists for their good work, but we also strive to demystify the perception that western Kenya do not offer quality stuff by also show casing young and upcoming artists’’ said the CEO.

He revealed that more than 40 artists and media personalities will be feted during the show that will be hosted at the newly built Tuffoam Mall from 6pm to mid night.

“We want to use the event to give our artists an opportunity to compete fairly with others where they will not feel intimidated or excluded by the so called celebrities,” he said.

Aleki said he organized the event to bring together artists and help nurture their talents to make them more productive and penetrate into other markets.

“Apart from the usual give a ways that is associated with such events, we have entered into partnership with a recording label in Nakuru that will give the winner in each category a one year recording deal’’ conformed the awards CEO.

In a press conference in Kisumu on today, Aleki said there will be a new entrant in the categories this year.

He said a social media personality will be feted during the event that will bring in officials from Kisumu County government.

“Social media has become the new frontier in communication especially among the youths and urban residents thus the idea to have this special category” said Aleki.

He also announced that this year’s edition will have a special guest appearance the former TPF contender Amileena who will also perform and give motivational talk during the event.

“We are looking forward to make the industry profitable where companies will pick artists to market their products and identities through such events,” he said.

Speaking to #MadanjeMedia online on phone Amileena expressed her excitement to be part of this event and said that such initiatives are aimed at promoting young artists and she is humbled to be part of this noble idea.

Winners in each category will win cash prizes and other awards. Sponsors of the events are Samsung, Orange, Khetia's supermarket and among others.

Ends....

HOSPITALITY BOOMS IN KISUMU WITH LAUNCH OF ACACIA PREMIER.

                          KSIUMU HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY BOOMS.

The hospitality industry in the lake side city of Kisumu has been on a steady rise and has continued to win investor confidence after the deadly 2007 post election violence. This is evident by the numerous malls and new hotels that are coming up in the region.

Two weeks ago the Simba Corporation officially launched its four star in Kisumu, the Acacia Premier that has given Kisumu  the impetus to competing equally with other regions when it comes to tourism earning.

The Corporation CEO Adil Popat revealed that the decision to set base in Kisumu was arrived at after reviewing the city's potential in tourism.

"Our marketing research in this region established that it is a growing hub and setting up this facility here shows the confidence we have with the people of kisumu and their leaders" Said Popat

The CEO revealed that the launch of the hotel follows successful launch of other two brands under the Simba Corporation which are the Villa Rosa Kempinski and and Olare Mara

The Hotel, located in the city's CBD has various facilities which include a sports bar, coffee lounge, ninety four rooms inclusive of a presidential suit an over roof restaurant with a clear view of the largest fresh water lake, Lake Victoria.

The Acacia Premier that has been in operation since mid this year stands on the newly built West End mall that also houses the Uchumi supermarket. 

"I am impressed by the mature leadership that has been exhibited by leaders in this area who have continued calls for peaceful co-existence among different communities living around here considering that Kisumu is a cosmopolitan city". Said Popat

The CEO also said that they are delighted by the way the region is opening up for business and confirmed that Acacia Premier will not be the last investment by the Simba Corporation in Kismu.