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.