Leaders denounce Raila’s take on Nyong’o position
Kisumu politicians have ganged up in a rare move to oppose ODM party leader Raila Odinga’s endorsement of area governor Anyang Nyong’o’s second term in office.
Foes who never saw eye-to-eye in the 2017 General-Election have teamed up to hatch new strategies aimed at defeating Nyong’o in the 2022 gubernatorial elections.
Leading the team is area senator Fred Outa, an ally-turned-foe of governor Nyong’o, who has also declared interest in the gubernatorial seat.
Outa has already held two meetings in Nairobi with key leaders from his larger Kano clan to scheme on their next move.
Among those who have already been brought on board by the senator include CAS Ken Obura, former governor Jack Ranguma, former Nyando MP Eric Nyamunga and former chief of staff in Nyongo’s office Patrick Ouya.
Both Ranguma and Obura have declared interest in unseating Nyongo in 2022.
Ranguma who ditched the ODM party after losing to Nyong’o in the sham party primaries vied as an independent candidate in 2017 lost to Nyong’o.
Outa had teamed up with governor Nyong’o to form “Team Kali” that consisted of those who had secured the ODM party tickets.
He however fell out with him after he accused him of dishonesty in honouring their pre - election agreement.
A source who sought anonymity disclosed to the People Daily that the leaders are seeking to front and back one candidate from the larger Kano clan to face off with Raila’s choice.
Development record
The source said; “all the leaders have agreed to come up with one candidate who is strong and can be sold easily to vie against Nyong’o because it’s a fact that after Raila’s statement it would be difficult to get a party certificate”.
Last weekend Raila endorsed Nyong’o for a second term citing his development record.
While addressing a group of youths who had gathered outside Nyong’o’s office, Raila said: “Anyang’ is doing a good job and do you agree that we give him a second term? He has really transformed Kisumu.”
Raila’s statement has been endorsed by Kisumu County ODM chairman Ayiecho Olweny who said that they will follow his directive.
Olweny said; “If my party leader has said Nyong’o deserves another five year term, who are we as the officials to oppose.”
Outa however maintained the youths who were addressed by the party leader were strategically placed by the governor to front his agenda.
“Those were hired youths by Nyong’o himself. ODM is restructuring and I believe that democracy will prevail.
We respect our party leader and I know that the people’s decision will also be respected” Outa said.
Violating rights
Kisumu East MP Shakeel Shabir said; “I don’t know if this is the democracy that we were told, but personally I think you should also be endorsed by the people who elected you. I want to believe that Raila was not serious about the endorsement”
Kisumu West MP Olago Aluoch who is a member of Ford Kenya said that the move by Raila to endorse Nyongo was uncalled for.
“If at all he meant it, then that is simply violating the rights of the people of Kisumu because they will have no right of electing a leader that they want” Olago said.
Area Woman Representative Rosa Buyu on her part said: “Each member of the party who wants to vie should be given an opportunity to do so because I know Raila believes in democracy. Nobody should wait for endorsement.”
However, Nyando MP Jared Okello observed: “Let us not blow things out of proportion. The party is currently restructuring and 2022 is still very far.”
Nyong’o through his press secretary Aloyce Ager however maintained that his main focus is developing the county and not 2022 politics.
