By Team

The political turbulence that was hitting Homa Bay county over gubernatorial seat in the 2027 elections has been thawed after a director with Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa) declared he was not interested in the seat.

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.

The declaration comes hot in the heels after successful Madaraka celebration where Wanga hosted President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

The national government ahead of the Madaraka celebrations initiated several development projects that were launched by the President.

He wrote: “Greetings to my friends and associates from Homabay County. 

Our journey of engagement has always been rooted in improving the lives of our people. 

Public service and representation have been at the core of my commitment, dating back to 2007 when I stepped forward to contest for the parliamentary seat of Karachuonyo. Community engagement is not just a duty—it is part of my identity.

Recently, my active involvement in community activities have led to speculation that I intend to vie for the position of Governor. 

Unfortunately, this has sparked unnecessary tension and unfounded rumors that do not serve our collective progress as a people.

We MUST all support the broad-based government in action and spirit, I fully support and serve the government of President William Samoei Ruto in my capacity as a director within a key entity driving one of the major pillars of the BETA agenda. 

Additionally, as an elected professional representing accountants across Kenya, I am privileged to advance accountability in public resource management nationwide. 

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.”

EDITED BY: HOPE BARBRA

By Anderson Ojwang                                

President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga are fast becoming Siamese twins, and their political union has been emboldening after Raila rejected political overtures from the opposition group to make him president.

Speaking at funeral in Siaya county, Raila dismissed calls by the impeached deputy President Rigathi Gachagua  that he joins them so that they could make him become president in 2027.

After his impeachment, Gachagua said that he had been mandated by Mt Kenya people to look for a political formation that will bring power to the people.

“I was looking at it with few strategists from the region, Raila numbers is more exciting.

Because Raila already has 6.8 million votes.

We only beat him with only 200,000 votes.

If we agree to support him, we could, I told you with his 6.8 and our 6 million votes, if you look at his voting pattern, he normally votes between 10.00 am-11.00 am.

If we agree to support him. Before he votes, he will be the president.

That you can take to the bank,” he said in a recent interview.

Raila quoting a Luo proverb said jowi mager ema ichuogo piene, koro wachuogo pien (brave rhino is the one whose skin is used for tanning).

Raila asked the Luo community to stop political activism and focus on the future to benefit from the unfolding political scenario.

“I want our people to remain quite so that we can get what we want going forward.

Those who are making noise in the opposition told us that they were in the government of shareholders.

They said they have shares; they told us that they have shareholding in the government.

Some have more shares while others have least.

Now that they have left the government after their fights.

They have come to us so for us to join them in order to make us president.

But they are forgetting that when they were in the government, they used to abuse us.

They did not know that we are a people who matter.

Now at this time, they are in a fix, they want us to join them. 

They now say that they we want to give you presidency.” he said.

Gachagua while in the office took to criticizing Raila and even said that he had laid traps in the Statehouse for Raila to negate his entry to meet the president.

For instance, during the burial of Mau Mau veteran General Mathenge in Nyandarua, Gachagua took issue with Raila for asking him to allow the ongoing consultation between Azimio and the Kenya Kwanza Government.

Raila said at the funeral “If we can hold consultations, that is in order.

Riggy G there is no harm in people talking.

Let people have talks even if you don’t want to hear my word, just listen to what I say.

We don’t want half of the loaf, what and which kind of bread ?

I do not want to become deputy president, I don’t want to be prime minister.

I am not interested.

Stop panicking.

I have not spoken or even met Ruto”

But Gachagua responded “ Former Prime Minister, we have not rejected salutations and talks but we fear you.

The reason, you came and had handshake with our son former president Uhuru Kenyatta.

He was a good person, he, loved and worked for us.

But when you got into handshake with him, he changed.

We from the Mt Kenya, we fear you.

Be like your father, help us in the fight for the land that belonged to the Mau Mau and were taken away and those who have possessed those lands are your friends.

Help us get back the land.”

During the last week’s visit of Kisumu and Homa Bay county by President Ruto, Raila and Ruto exhibit symbolic imageries by driving in a same vehicle in Kisumu and frying fish together at the newly opened Homa Bay fish market.

Siaya Governor James Orengo is the only leader from the region against the political union between Ruto and Raila and he has come under condemnations from local leaders led by Siaya senator Oburu Oginga and ODM national chairperson Gladys Wanga.

Political analyst Prof Otieno Obondi argued that Raila is making it clear to the community that the time for opposition politics was over and that no member of the community should die in the streets again.

“Luos are not going back to opposition and him, Raila will not join the opposition leaders.

There are no more fightings.

Let us leave bravery behind and benefit from the government projects.

The People asking him to join them are same people who refused to vote for him during the elections.

They see him as tool to be used and later dumped after they have crossed the bridge.

Raila has learnt the hard way and now understands the game better.

They are now Siamese twin in politics, and the opposition is only interested in sowing the seed of discord to break them,” he argued.

Engineer Washington Omondi Ogaga said the declaration by Raila was a milestone to the Luo community.

“The Luo community has long been recognized for its cohesion, passion, and decisiveness in the pursuit of good governance and equity. 

This dedication has been evident since the pre-independence era, culminating in Jaramogi Oginga Odinga’s historic demand for the release of Jomo Kenyatta before accepting any instruments of power.

Following Kenyatta’s release, the course of Kenya’s history was irrevocably changed.

Today, the Luo community stands at a pivotal moment.

There is no longer a need to return to the streets in protest, as President William Ruto and Prime Minister Raila Odinga have presented an unprecedented opportunity on the negotiating table.

President Ruto has demonstrated his full confidence in and comfort with working alongside the Luo community. 

Similarly, Raila Odinga has extended his goodwill, ensuring that the community is strategically positioned to support President Ruto’s return to Statehouse in 2027 and to form the next government.

The Luo community has endured the role of opposition for far too long, to the point where their plight became normalized.

This prolonged opposition has led other major communities to perceive the Luos as natural activists, primarily known for holding successive regimes accountable.

Unfortunately, this perception has been exploited by some senior politicians, often at the expense of the community’s broader interests.

We stand united in declaring that this exploitation must end.

The Luo community is ready to embrace a new chapter, one where their contributions to governance and equity are recognized and valued.

With the support of President Ruto and Prime Minister Raila Odinga, the Luo community is poised to play a crucial role in shaping Kenya’s future, ensuring that their legacy of diligence and dedication continues to thrive,” he said.

By Anderson Ojwang

Kenya’s political scene is developing euphoria on a mantra of the terms in the office, with “Wantam and Tutam” gaining prominence in the country’s political landscape.

The Wantam proponents are targeting the presidency, governors, Members of Parliament and Members of the County Assembly with the rallying call that they must exit office come 2027 elections.

But the opponents currently serving their first term too have developed a mantra of ‘Tutam bila break’ in quest to be re-elected based on their service delivery and development records.

They say “kumi bila break” (Ten years non-stop) in a response to their opponents who have rolled out campaigns to woo the electorates to send them home in the 2027 general elections.

From the political podium, social media platforms to the musical world, the mantra is gaining and occupying the audience as a discussion of interest. It is shaping the country’s battle ground and could be one of the main influencers in the 2027 general elections.

Save for the few governors who are in their final terms, majority in their first term are faced with the dilemma of the Wantam mantra that is sweeping across the country.

Already, the governors have embarked on early campaigns to avoid falling victims to the mantra while their opponents have also not been left sleeping. The campaign mood has gripped the country and the euphoria is real.

Impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, the key proponent of the Wantam mantra, has trained his gun on President William Ruto with a view to deny him a second and final term as the fifth President of Kenya.

“Kasongo aende ama asiende? (Should Kasongo go or not?) People of Githurai, I am from Gatundu, but I made a stopover to greet you people, even though it is raining. You are my people, we have suffered together. This person lied to us.

This person came with the Bible. I have united with other likeminded leaders—Martha Karua, Eugene Wamalwa, Kalonzo Musyoka, Fred Matiang’i. We will give you one presidential candidate.

You say he is Wantam. Say Wantam. Kasongo is Wantam. What is the ground saying? Wantam,” he said.

President Ruto, in his response, has dismissed his opponents, saying he is not worried about his popularity but is happy with his performance that will make the electorate re-elect him in the 2027 presidential election.

Ruto responded, “Kisumu wakisema Wantam mnasema nini? Kumi bila break! Eti Kisumu, what do you tell them? Tutam na Kumi bila break. Wamesikia au hawajasikia?” (People of Kisumu if they say Wantam, what do you say? Tutam and ten years nonstop. I hope they have heard).

Ruto promised his competitors a grueling battle at the 2027 contest, where he will humble them.

“Hawa watu wa makelele, wanasumbua kwa mtandao, sijui wapi, hawa watu wako na kazi ngumu sana kushindana na mimi. Si mambo yao tu ni kuchora kwa internet na kushunguka na fitina.

Hawa tutawanyorosha asubuhi na mapema.

Kuna wengine hapa wananiambia niendelee kupigiwa makofi. Mimi sitaji makofi. Sijui kama tunaelewana. Kuna kazi zingine zitafanyika bila makofi.

Nyinyi ambayo munatafuta makofi endeleeni kutafuta makofi. Wale wanatafuta umarufu, endeleeni kutafuta umarufu. Najua hawa watu wengine ni wageni, wamefika juzi kwa hii siasa. Si mimi nimekuwa around hapa.

Unajua kuna watu wa porojo mingi. Eti wanajaribu kushindana na sisi. Sasa, wewe mtu wa fitina, ukabila, shares, sijui mtego, utashindana na nani hii Kenya? Ukinipima kabisa, watu wa Kakamega, watu wa chuki, bangi, ukabila na mtego watawezana na mimi?” Ruto said.

Medic and political analyst Prof. Obondi Otieno says it is too early to make a judgment, but the political landscape is still equivocal.

“Both the antagonistic groups are sedimenting into regional or tribal cocoons. No tangible issues are being brought on the table.

The Tutam is bogged with one scandal after another while the Wantam proponents exhibit very scary ethnic rhetoric. So far there is nothing serious voters can derive to make an informed decision on who to vote for.

The gullible voters have easy rides. They base their resolve on tribal hatred and what their cultist political godfathers tell them during social gatherings.

I agree with the latter voter groups because politics doesn’t change much in their daily livelihood. But as time tickles, a lot of things change in the political ecosystem.

All said, Ruto is likely to get sympathy votes from the politically marginalized groups such as the Coast, Nyanza, Western, Rift Valley and even Ukambani, depending on the outcome of the Karua, Gachagua, Kalonzo group’s decision,” he argues.

Political commentator Patrick Ouya says Kenya is witnessing an interesting political moment where voters will elect leaders based on performance and not rhetorics.

“Whether you are in your first term or sixth term, if your performance is below average, just know you are going home. In 2027 elections, we will.”