By Team
Homa Bay Deputy Governor Oyugi Magwanga has said he is not interested in the vacant Kasipul parliamentary seat terming those associating him with the seat as “day dreamers and political cowards”.
Magwanga said it was a culturally wrong for some quarters to associate him with the seat and that as an elder he supports all the aspirants who have shown interest to replace the slain MP Charles Ongondo Were.
He said suggestions by some quarters that he would resign from his deputy governor seat were baseless, uncalled for and a pipe dream.
Magwanga said suggestion by some quarters that he should resign to allow Kemsa director Hesborn Omollo to replace him is childish and backward thinking.
“I was nominated by my party ODM, and we ran on a joint party ticket with Governor Gladys Wanga.
If anyone, intends to bring a stranger into the mix.
Let us all resign and go back to the electorates to get a fresh mandate.
I left a record as the MP for Kasipul through my performance and was even declared the best performing MP. Not even my successor was able to beat my record.
I want to state it here; I will not run for parliamentary seat.
I had graduated from that to the next level.
So, anyone dreaming of Magwanga going parliamentary seat must be out of their mind,” he said in an interview.
A section of the social media was awash with claims that Magwanga would resign to contest for the vacant Kasipul parliamentary seat, after Omollo declared that he was not interested in the gubernatorial seat for Homa Bay.
Mr. Hesborn Omollo in a statement in his Facebook page said his community service engagement should not be misconstrued as an attempt to rally support for gubernatorial contest.
Omollo’s community engagement had brought disquiet in the ODM wing with the Governor Gladys Wanga and her supporters taking issue with his community engagement.
Within the last two years, Omollo had crisscrossed the county engaging in funds drive and other activities that created panic among other political players in the county.
“I wish to categorically state that I am not pursuing the gubernatorial seat for Homabay County and neither have I stated as such before.
This is a time for service delivery, not political competition.
My dedication to community development and empowerment remains steadfast, and I urge my people to focus on initiatives that foster growth and progress.
Let us move forward with clarity and purpose.” he spoke.
Magwanga said the residents of Kasipul constituency should be allowed to choose a candidate of their choice and outside interference will not be tolerated.
“Let me say, the people of Kasipul should be allowed to make a choice of their preferred MP who will serve them.
Unnecessary interference and peddling of cheap propaganda by some quarters will be rebuffed accordingly.
As elders, we must allow the aspirants to sell their policies to the electorates to enable them to make informed decision.
Let the outsiders stay away and allow the aspirants conduct peaceful campaigns,” he said.
Already 17 aspirants have shown interest in the vacant seat, and they include Samwel Owida, Philip Aroko, Victor Mbaka, Boyd Were, Rateng Otiende, Tom Sipul, Ajoh Mbuta, Ken Okoth Jam. Joash Aloo, Swaleh Omondi, Okindo Majiwa, Colins Otieno, Mary Askon, Newton Ogada, Edward Oloo Otula, Allan Odera, and Robert Money Mabior.
A recent night meeting between Wanga and Magwanga over a possible candidate to succeed Were ended in a stalemate.
Wanga arrived at Nagwanga home’s shortly after 8.30 pm in accompany of three, top officers at the County Government and the county Assembly and left shortly after 4.30 am.
It was the first time, Wanga visited Magwanga’s home after she was elected the governor of Homa Bay county and source revealed on the candidate to succeed Ongondo.
Wanga and her team tried to prevail over Magwanga to support Ongondo’s son, Boyd Were, but the latter was reluctant and did not commit to the proposal.
On the table, sources told Western Insight, that Wanga asked Magwanga to support Boyd and in return she would support his candidature for Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Homa Bay County chairman seat.
Magwanga confirmed the visit saying they discussed various issues and neither denied or confirmed whether he was approached to support the son of his political nemesis and would return get the county ODM chair seat.
“The Governor visited me last night and we discussed several issues.
You are free to speculate whatever we discussed.
I have been having several visitors to my home and everyone is welcome,” he said.
Recently, Western Insight report that attempts by a section of MPs from Nyanza led by Wanga, who is ODM national Chairperson to have Boyd get direct nomination was hitting a snag and had split the party.
Wanga and other leaders recently presented Mr. Boyd Were at a local church and asked the residents to support his candidature to inherit his father’s seat.
Wanga, Homa Bay Town MP Opondo Kaluma, Senator Moses Kajwang, minority whip Millie Odhiambo and Roza Buyu (Kisumu West) said late Were’s son was the best suited family member to replace his father as Kasipul member of parliament.
The team promised to support Boyd who swore to stand strong with the people of Kasipul during his late father’s burial on his quest to become the next Constituency MP.
But the party top leadership hierarchy was uncomfortable with the move and want free and fair nomination conducted to avoid any fallout in the party.
Edited by Hope Barbra
