By Billy Mijungu
James Aggrey Bob Orengo Nyatieng’ is the only Luo I know with five names. Mostly, it ends at four, with a scoop of three English names, and often at two. If you thought pombe ya jina mbili would scare you, he is a man of five.
Consequentially, he is the most experienced politician and the longest-serving in the Republic. He not only carries the history of the Republic but also, as he is referred to, is the walking Constitution. He carries the country’s history and has almost certainly now outlived four presidents. With more than 50 years of experience and consistency, I would not only trust him but also consider him the man to mentor the next generation of leaders. On this, I would be available anyway.
I have been in ODM when no one was allowed from our end to even meet the late former Prime Minister. I have been in UDA, where you had to play from the back because you did not dare to be different when it mattered, and certainly on Linda Mwananchi tours before it became a party, now the Linda Mwananchi Movement. Today, Governor Irungu Kang’ata, brought into it by Orengo himself, calls it AFC Leopards. How good it is that we transition, but he forgot that he had also just gone back to Murang’a Seal.
I saw Orengo bring in Kawira Mwangaza and so many others who now power up EDU. Well, so much so during its creation, give it to Babu. He was definitely lethal fuel to a movement; he mobilised the best from everywhere. So, as they retreat in Gor Mahia alike, the answer to Anyang’s prolonged question of a parliamentary system of governance is answered forthwith. This country’s power and leadership will be negotiated more deeply as regional kingpins fall off and parties become more regional than national.
Back to Orengo, any Luo who wants to lead will have the baton handed over by Orengo and Anyang’. If any young person goes to any party led by their peers, they will be dominated, however big a name they may have. Education will dominate you, Babu will dominate you, and Ndindi will have you for breakfast. To distinguish yourself and gain trust, convening power, mentorship and a takeover, do it under Orengo, William and Stephen, in that order. I am speaking to Luos who are equal only to the Kikuyus in politics. Is it not true?
Back to LDP. It is the party that will have the other little over three-quarters of Luo Nyanza, the Coast, the Upper Rift and Nairobi. It is the place where little girls and young boys will lead. The unveiling of the Liberal Democratic Party cements the ideals of Raila Odinga. The party’s symbol represents Raila’s Fedora hat, complete with a flywhisk, bringing back the emotions of just seeing Raila. These are clear tools for tapping into his spirit. The hat that Winnie Odinga returned from India now becomes LDP. The flywhisk that Raila was buried with now invokes juogi. Raila is dead, but Raila lives, and so does LDP.
Who will Orengo hand over the reins to in a few years? Maybe the little girl left in Kingston Town. The King is dead, but long live the Crown.
