RAILA ODINGA FACES THE BIGGEST TEST OF HIS POLITICAL CAREER OVER THE LOOMING ODM PRIMARIES AS HE HEADS TO THE LAST STAB ON THE PRESIDENCY.

The Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) leader cuts the image of a President-in-waiting, at least on the national scene. The indefatigable opposition chief is a man that is under the radar of both the Jubilee and CORD zealots who will do anything to not avoid even a simple blink of their eyelids, lest Raila pulls a move that will effectively terminate their political lives.

But, unknown to many, the former Prime Minister is a man under siege, while he appears easy in public and only awaiting for the blow of the final whistle to fire his “last bullet”, Raila Odinga is a troubled man.

The CORD flag bearer’s position and the reconstitution of the IEBC through minimum reforms are just two reasons for his head ache; in fact they are just a small bit of the things that bother the son of the doyen of opposition politics. And saying that Raila’s “In-Tray” is full as he approaches the 2017 elections is an understatement.

Raila who is expected to make his fourth and probably the last attempt at the presidency in just about 16 months is reportedly keen to seal all loopholes that may have caused him the seat in the last three stabs.

Top on his agenda is the ever chaotic, shambolic and a mockery to democracy that has been ODM’s nomination exercise especially in his back yard of Nyanza, and by extension Western Kenya.

Interestingly, one of the battle fronts for ODM party nominations will be the seat of County Governors. Herein lies the control of Billions of shillings allocated to county governments as a direct result of devolution, which the former Premier fought tooth and nail to be entrenched in the new constitution.

The current crop of governors have been accused of presiding over news centers of corruption in the name of county governments and now their 2013 “Team Mates” have turned their eyes on those seats, angling to send them packing on the ballot day.

The ODM party leader has in no uncertain terms said that this time round he will not interfere in the ODM’s internal nominations. He has said severally that he will work with whoever will be voted in by the people during the nominations and whoever wins in the general elections.

The question is, can the man from Opoda farm keep his word? Can he subject his trusted loyalists and allies like Nyong’o, Orengo and Jakoyo to an exercise that they are likely to lose? Time will tell, but let us ponder the following scenarios.

In Kisumu, the incumbent governor Jack Ranguma is facing an onslaught from Senator Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o who is believed to be ODM’s choice and business mogul Dr. Hezron Mc’Obewa. 

Ranguma, who is a direct beneficiary of the post nomination rebellion in the last polls, (Raila’s perceived attempt to have his sister Ruth Odinga become governor was flatly rejected as Kisumu county residents went to the streets chanting, “No Ranguma, No Raila”) has been heavily criticized for presiding over a corrupt regime coupled with skewed appointments on clan lines. 

Ranguma hopes that with Ruth Odinga as his deputy, his re election bid is rosy and secured. Other hopefuls include Asaka Nyangara from Nyakach, David Wayiera and Prof Wayumba who both hail from Nyahera.

Everyone will be looking at Raila Odinga ahead of 2017 for whatever he says or does at that time will ultimately change the scenario. ”If he chooses to stand by his long time friend Prof. Nyong’o, the rebellion might be bigger than 2013. The professor from Ratta in Seme is immensely unpopular, stingy and out of touch with the local politics” said a local pundit.

Word on the street is that a section of voters in Kisumu county are waiting for Raila to make the mistake of anointing Nyong’o then they tell him off with a protest vote to another candidate.

Philanthropist Dr. Mc’Obewa may be the biggest beneficiary in an event that Raila lets the people decide. He has employed detailed strategies on the ground, reaching to people in all corners of the county. 

He has paid school fees to orphans, drilled bore holes and helped many needy cases. “With all factors constant, Dr. Mc’Obewa will beat Ranguma at 9 am on election date. No wonder both Ranguma and Nyong’o camps are silently hoping that the former PM weighs in so that confusion reigns”.

The other game changer would be the type of running mates that the three will pick and their choice for the seat of Senator. 

While Nyong’o is said to be angling to support Nyando MP Fred Outa as Senator, his running mate remains unknown. Ranguma is believed to be toying with the idea of bringing in Elijah Oburu, son to nominated MP Dr. Oburu Odinga and nephew to Raila. His choice for Senator remains unknown though. 

Dr. Mc’Obewa has kept his cards close to his chest though his close aides have hinted to this blog that he may rope in the current Market-Millimani ward MCA Eddy Anayo to fetch the diaspora votes, as he tries to calculate the Kano factor and the non Kisumu locals who hold a huge sway in the county politics.

In Siaya, according to Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo, Cornel Amoth Rasanga who was literally fished under the bed to be  the governor has become very unpopular and is said to be only waiting for the besieged IEBC to officially open the campaigns for him to declare that he is not defending his seat.

On the surface, Rasanga has endeared himself towards Jakom and even alluded to having Raila’s special daughter Rosemary as his running mate, all in the hopes of “catching” Raila’s eyes for a Rasanga Tosha pronouncement. 

The idea to have Rosemary as his running mate is already causing jitters among the supporters of his deputy Ouma Onyango, who feel that the son of the colonial chief wants to dump the career High school principle who they have had an on and off affair.

Rasanga through his director of communication Boni Odinga has since dismissed that idea as media fabrication

He is however believed to have effectively voted himself out due to uncouth behaviors like declaring non existence public holidays and calling on Cord governors to remove President Uhuru’s portrait from their offices and replace them with that of Raila Odinga.

His biggest challenge might come from Raila’s right hand man and Siaya Senator James Orengo, though sources close to the former PM disclose that Raila has a soft spot for former regional PS Carey Orege.

Other formidable candidates who have shown interest include Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo who is seen as the people’s choice and Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo who has kept everybody guessing though he is believed to be fronting William Oduol who won in 2013 but was robbed in day broad light.

Like in Kisumu, everyone will be keenly watching any move that Raila will or will not make. If he chooses to keep off, then Siaya gubernatorial race might turn out to be one of the hotly contested in Luo Nyanza.

The battle in that case is likely to be between businessman Wiliam Oduol, Senator James Orengo and Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo as the other flower girls will be escorting them.

South Nyanza, a region that ODM enjoys massive support and seen as it’s bedrock, has the twin counties of Migori and Homa Bay. Homa Bay, for starters, has the highest number of ODM rebels who have openly defied the party and Raila Odinga the like of James Rege of Karachuonyo and George Oner of Rangwe have no love for Jakom.

They are known to give unwavering support to Raila, but will not shy away from speaking their minds on any issue. It is not lost on observers how they rejected attempts to have Raila replace their late Senator Otieno Kajwang. The party leader would not want to get into any antagonism with such a wrathful electorate base. In fact, already battle lines are drawn and players will be fighting among themselves and give baba their best choice.

ODM party chairman John Mbadi has openly declared his support and endorsed the incumbent Cyprian Awiti for a second term pitting him against Raila’s ardent supporter Commissioner Gladys Wanga who is oscillating between the current Kasipul MP Oyugi Magwanga and Rusinga’s Mr. Money Bags Sammy Wakiaga.

While Awiti has lost favor with most of the elected leaders, but none of his would be challengers looks good enough to displace him. The other notable noise makers like Millie Odhiambo of Mbita, Agustino Neto of Ndhiwa and Silvance Osele Kabondo-Kasipul are still marking time, probably considering where to place their bets.

Pundits says that what has worked for Awiti is the correct political moves that he makes, he is the only governor that has worked well without friction with his deputy Hamilton Orata hails from Ndhiwa and keeping him as his preferred running mate could possibly deliver him a second term. 

During the burial of ODM chairman John Mbadi's mother in November last year, Awiti made a public announcement that as Luo Nyanza governors they had decided to fully support Raila's last stab to the presidency with all their resources. 

One would argue that in an event that the governors jointly donate 1.2 Billion to Raila's presidential kitty, would the party still subject them to the ever vigorous ODM primaries.....???

In the neighboring Migori County, Okoth Obado appears to be heading for a smooth re-election since no substantial opposition has come his way. Having won on a PDP ticket, it was hugely expected that the ODM brigade would quickly make his work difficult and slay him ahead of 2017.

Nothing much can be heard of Mrs. Anyanga, wife to current Nyatike MP Edick Anyanga and former Rongo MP Ochillo Ayako who on a fair and leveled ground could be Obado’s nightmare are also still believed to be sharpening their weapons.

Obado has opted for the seemingly easier route of getting closer to the Odinga family, he is said to be very close to Mrs Ida Odinga after he single handedly took the responsibility of fully funding the funeral expenses of Raila Odinga’s mother in law.

With this tactic that may terribly fail, he joins the league of Ranguma and Rasanga who believe that having an Odinga name as one of their strategies is an automatic win. TIME WILL TELL.

ENDS..

DESPITE BOOSTING OF INTELLECTUALS AMONG US, LACK OF PROPER STRATEGIES HAVE KEPT US OUT OF GOVERNMENT.

The Luo community has stood up tall in producing some of the finest brains that have positively contributed in building the economy of our great nation Kenya since independence.

However ascending to the highest office in the land (Presidency) remains elusive even as the country approaches the next general election that has been termed a one bullet affair for the community.

The community has been perceived to be bright and passionate in their dealings, a bit proud or should i call it bravado, these characteristics have worked for or against them in some instances and many a times they are seen by other communities as arrogant and inconsiderate in how they handle issues of great concern.

As a member of this community, I am proud beyond measurable levels to have been born among these great intellectuals, but I am a worried young father when I look at the future of our kids and the kind of leadership we would what them to be under.

There is one fact we cannot continue hiding from, being out of government, -save for a few pockets of individuals who have been in and out- has immensely affected us in terms of growth in all aspects and it could be the reason why the entire luo nation is DEPRESSED.

Despite presenting ourselves as strong individuals we have virtually lost everything since independence. When the country was on the verge of independence, Jomo Kenyatta was still in detention and the Britons were ready to hand over power to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga who declined that nothing could happen in the absence of Jomo ,thus he pressed on to fight for his release.

When that finally happened and Kenyatta became the first President of the Republic of Kenya after serving shortly as Prime Minister, he rewarded Jaramogi with the position of Vice Presidency for his loyalty.

Their marriage did not last long as Jaramogi was fired in 1966 after disagreeing with Kenyatta’s style of administration which he said was non inclusive and marred with skewed appointments, thus he formed his clarion statement of ‘Not yet Uhuru’

As a community, that was the beginning of our struggles and we haven’t recovered from it, and those considered to be friendly to Kenyatta’s administration like Tom Mboya were retained in government where they fully took advantage of their government links and airlifted several young bright luo students to the US for further studies; that included Barrack Obama senior.

Tom Mboya, who was then considered to be the torch bearer of the community, was assassinated in day broad light outside a chemist along Moi Avenue in the country’s capital city, where he had stopped by to pick some drugs. The incident sparked off spontaneous riots with luos feeling that they were being unfairly targeted.

The woes of the Odingas and the community at large further deepened after Kenyatta government impounded and towed Lolwe buses belonging to Jaramogi that were later auctioned at 400 shillings each.

With the exit of Jaramogi from the scene came in Raila Amolo Odinga whose poor leadership style and his inability to take in advice has further cost us and even depressed us more. Raila has lost once and rigged twice but whether rigged or lost fairly he hasn’t been able to capture the presidency.

He easily gave in to ‘A nusu mkate’ government even after it was clear that he beat his closest challenger Mwai Kibaki in the elections. The fruits of a coalition government though are visible save for a few complains here and there over appointments, thus I can confidently say that being out of government is not something we can take pride of.

Since the lessons learnt in 2007 general election it is evident that elections are not won at the ballot and pity those who said we were headed for victory on the ICC argument that Kenyans could not vote in suspects of international crimes.

Raila Amolo Odinga must now learn from his past mistakes if he still hope to occupy the house on the hill in the near future, he must delegate duties to professionals, stop putting much of his trust in institutions like the IEBC or the Courts, shade off spent forces (Unworthy friends) and listen to advise.

ENDS

POLICE IN KISUMU AND KAKAMEGA COUNTIES ARE TRAILING CRUCIAL LINKS THAT COULD FINALLY UNEARTH THE CARTELS BEHIND COUNTERFEITS.

Officers from the criminal investigation department (CID) from Kisumu and Kakamega counties are investigating a syndicate where counterfeit alcohol is produced and sold to unsuspecting members of the public.

The fake liquor is said to be produced outside the two counties, packed in used bottles of genuine liquor, and transferred to these regions to be sold to the public.

Revealing the syndicate after trailing the contraband product that led to the arrest of one suspect who received the package in Kakamega, the Kakamega County Police Commander Magnagen Warui said they were following the links in an effort to crack down on the cartels.

Police are now calling upon members of the public to be more cautious and ensure that they are consuming the right products that have been certified by the Kenya Bureau of standards (KEBS).

Confirming the incident, Warui said that Police acting on a tip off from members of the public arrested the suspect in Kakamega after receiving the parcel from Kisumu, which indicated it had originated from Nairobi.

Police found among other things, fake KRA stickers, several liters of a product suspected to be sulphuric acid and stickers of several different liquor brands.

When the suspect appeared in court today, the prosecutor requested for 5 more days to complete investigations, arguing that preferring charges against the suspect would imply that they are also vilifying one of the companies that had been roped into the syndicate using their stickers.

The Kakamega County Commander called for tight vigilance through all government agencies especially KEBS to ensure that such products that are harmful to the health of innocent Kenyans do not find their way to our markets.

He said the re-emergence of contraband and counterfeits particularly liquor is slowly penetrating back to our markets owing to strenuous bureaucracies by some government departments and unleveled playing ground.

“The president’s order last year to crack down on illicit brew was a genuine one but after the licenses were drawn by NACCADA so that all manufacturers apply afresh, we have information that some unscrupulous businessmen in Nairobi are using unethical means to frustrate Western Kenya manufacturers in a bid to have the monopoly of controlling production of liquor” revealed Warui.

 Mr. Warui warned that if the process is not reviewed to favor everybody more so Western Kenya manufacturers then Kenyans are still at a risk of consuming illicit liquor because some businessmen will go to the extreme of using other means to produce alcohol.

ENDS.

DORIS OMBARA'S WOES DEEPEN AFTER BEING SENT ON COMPULSARY LEAVE.

The embattled Kisumu City Manager Doris Ombara’s woes continue to deepen after the out of contract county secretary Humphrey Nakitare sent her on a 10 day forced leave pending further review of her case after she was accused of acting in violation of the law.

Ombara had reported to work on Thursday 31^st March 2016 to assume her new role as the director of Lake Front Development and Urban Renewal only to be told that there is no office space for her, no job description or even terms of reference.

“Like i said before my transfer from the docket of city manager was engineered by powerful cartels in the governor’s office that are keen to control the 4 Billion AFD money. How do you explain a situation where signatories to an account that is being run from Paris are changed with just a ministerial directive without following the due process’’ said lamented.

She revealed that her deputy who had replaced her as the city manager has since been made a major signatory to the KUP accounts a process that can only be executed at the AFD headquarters in Paris France.

“The county executive committee member in charge of finance issued a directive acting on behalf  the governor requesting AFD to replace me as the main signatory on claims that i had voluntarily stepped aside as the city manager’’ Ombara revealed.

She accused Nakitare of trying to divert public attention from this matter by calling for disciplinary action against her on claims that she incited the female MCAs to demonstrate.

“I have a valid 5 year contract as the city manager of Kisumu and if they think they can just wake up to such daring impunity then i want to assure them that i will seek legal interpretation on the same” Ombara threatened.

Ombara revealed that the AFD loan to kisumu will be paid back with accrued interests thus it should be well safe guarded to achieve the intended purpose.

“As a region we have always lamented about being marginalized by the National government and an opportunity had arisen through KUP to give this city a face lift, why not take advantage of this and change the lives of our people instead of being selfish and fight for tenders’’ she decried.

She confirmed that main reason why cartels at the governor’s office are frustrating her is because she cancelled tenders that were awarded to their cronies who were busy chasing for payments even before completing the projects. 

“That was pure conflict of interest, we cannot have the same staff of KUP installing lights and building schools contrary to procurement laws” she said.

She urged the residents of kisumu to stand up and start asking hard questions on the dubious spending by the governor and where he gets the money to frequently fly out of the country even on private trips.

She revealed that end of this week, a contractor that was fronted by an aide to the governor will paid 200 Million yet he has not even done half of the work given.

ENDS.

FIGHT FOR LUCRATIVE DEALS AT KUP COULD BE AT THE CENTRE OF OMBARA'S WOES.

KISUMU COUNTY continues to hit media headlines for all the wrong reasons with barely 18 months to the next general elections. Cartels around powerful individuals in the governor’s office are keen to create many loopholes within the county system that will earn them more money as we head to the polls.

Focus has now shifted to the lucrative Kisumu Urban Project (KUP) with an intention to control the 4 billion shillings at stake. Sources within KUP told this blog that could be the main reason why the city manager Doris Ombara was transferred to a nonexistent department. 

Back and forth accusations have since emerged following the ‘sacking’ of Ombara on the 24^th of March with the executive maintaining that the latter was not sacked but rather promoted to the department of Lake Front Development and Urban Renewal.

The chairman of Kisumu City Residents Voice Association Audi Ogada has however criticized the MCAs who took to the streets to protest Ombara's removal from office saying their action clearly depicts a picture that they have been compromised and in an event that she is reinstated they cannot oversight her.

“I will say this with no uncertain terms that all these wrangles we are witnessing are just about tenders within KUP with those in leadership trying to front their cronies to source for them campaign money” said Ogada.

“Section 74 of the County Government Act clearly stipulates that the County Public Service Board has the overall mandate to hire, promote, redeploy and fire. Ranguma as the governor is subject to the rule of law and he cannot act without following the due process” confirmed Ogada.

Audi revealed that Doris Ombara was duly appointment by the County Public Service Board on the 17^th of Aug 2015 and the same was ratified by the County Secretary Humphrey Nakitari on the 28^th of August  2015 confirming her as the City Manager thus the same due process must be followed to remove her from office.

Her transfer, redeployment or firing can only be executed through the same process but an individual cannot just wake up to a decision that has not been either discussed by the County Public Service Board or the County Assembly.

Kaloleni/Shauri Moyo MCA Prisca Misachi said Ombara is being sacrificed because of the Sh. 4 billion for the Kisumu Urban Project.

“The Lake Front project collapsed long time ago. Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) that was to fund the project had pulled out. Why now second Ombara to a department that had died and been buried,” she asked.

The Kisumu Urban Project was initiated on 3 key components of Market Rehabilitation, Bus Park upgrading and street lightning. The projects were designed to be completed within a stipulated timeframe that is due by September 2016 and with all these persistent wangles the project sponsors might as well to pull out.

Kisumu residents are starring at a bleak future as the implications of Ombara’s sacking are likely to be much deeper if she decides to close the accounts of the KUP being the main signatory, or if she decides to seek legal redress to compel the executive to rescind its decision.

“As resident of Kisumu, we have given both the County Assembly and the executive 48hours to put their house in order or else we will petition them in court to compel them to a compromise ground” asserted Ogada.

Audi Ogada insisted that the County Assembly must now focus on the formation of a city board so that we don’t run into such problems in the near future, even as nominated MCA Lydia Odhiambo clarified that the Assembly had already passed a bill to that effect and it’s the governor who has adamantly refused to ascend to it.

A source close to at the governor’s office intimated to me that the standoff is likely to go on for quite some time because they have advised him to hold firm on his decision and that rescinding the same and reinstating Ombara will expose him as not a steadfast leader.

ENDS.