MCAs FEELING THE REAL HEAT FROM YOUNG FLAMBOYANT ASPIRANTS WHO HAVE ASSEMBLED DIGITAL CAMPAIGN MACHINERY TO UNSEAT THEM.

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.