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We’ll use Piny Luo festival to discuss security issues in L.Victoria with Museveni

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By Reporter

The lake region governors plan to discuss security issues in the lake with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni during the Luo-cultural festival.

Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga revealed that they will present the matter to President Museveni who will be chief guest during this year’s Luo community extravaganza being held at Miguena village in Siaya County.

Wanga said they have also talked with President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to help them discuss and address the matter during their meeting with President Museveni.

For more than a decade, Kenyan fishermen have complained of harassment by Ugandan security authorities during their fishing expeditions in the lake.

Many Kenyan fishermen have lost their valuable gear, robbed off their catch as some get arrested and detained in foreign countries. Cases of murder linked to such conflicts have also been reported.

Wanga said they have agreed as governors whose counties are affected, they have prioritized the discussion with President Museveni to provide a permanent solution.

She argued that such conflicts have made fishing difficult for Kenyans in the lake.

“It’s high time we addressed the security issue on the lake once and for all with Presidents Museveni and Ruto. Let’s be good neighbours and enjoy the economic value of the lake as East Africa Community members,” Wanga said.

Speaking at Ngeri beach in Kaksingri West Ward, Suba South constituency when they went to see the construction progress of 12 cages for fishermen, Governor Wanga said they have agreed to make security on the lake to be a major agenda.

Kenyan counties that border the lake include Homa Bay, Migori, Kisumu, Siaya and Busia. Besides Wanga, other governors expected to meet President Museveni are James Orengo (Siaya), Anyang Nyong’o (Kisumu), Ochillo Ayacko (Migori) and Paul Otuoma (Busia).

Among the counties, Homa Bay has the largest shoreline with more than 60 percent of the lake water in Kenya.

Wanga said they want to foster peace and unity among the people in the East Africa Community (EAC).

“The issue of security on the lake will be the major agenda when the two presidents attend Piny Luo. We don’t want our people to get attacked anymore when they go to the lake,” she said.

Homa Bay government donated the cages to enable fishermen to continue accessing fish whose population has continued to reduce in the lake due to climate change. The county government spent about sh 30million on the cages.

Accompanied by Fisheries executive member John Agili, area MCA Victor Okoth, Suba South BMU chairman William Onditi, Governor Wanga said they want their people to graduate from being fishermen to fish farmers. Each cage holds 35,000 fingerlings.

“There’s no need for fish farming to remain exclusively in the private sector. We’re hopeful the cages will boost the economic benefit of our people,” Wanga added.

Agili said they are partnering with Victory Farms Company to help the fishermen manage the cages in the lake. The county government will provide fingerlings and fish feeds to the beneficiaries.

Benefited beaches include Ngeri, Nyagwethe, Jiw Dendi, Litare and Kisegi. They donated the cages under the Aquaculture Business Development Programme (ABDP).

“At least 180 people are going to benefit directly from the cages. We’re consulting Victory Farms to help us manage the cages and conservation of the ecosystem,” Agili said.

Onditi called for the protection of the cages in the lake to ensure fishermen get value for the money.

“We’ll work with security officers to protect the cages. Those who will be found vandalising the cages will face legal action,” Onditi said.

Getting Back to Politics

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Adapted from the Odede family by Dr. Joyce Nyairo whose first version of the article appeared in the Sunday Nation of October 20, 2024.

National politics was shifting by the day. Obadiah Adonijah Oginga Odinga, popularly known as Jaramogi
had moved to Nairobi in 1957. He campaigned against Beneah Apollo Ohanga and won the Central Nyanza
seat in LegCo.

Professor Ogot explains that by October 1960 when Rachilo left detention, he found “that since he was
not one of the Kapenguria group, he was not regarded as a freedom fighter …Odinga was so well established that [Odede’s] attempt to challenge the latter for a parliamentary seat led to his being branded a traitor of the Luo cause.”

Rachilo ran as an independent candidate. His symbol was the giraffe, Jaramogi’s was a hippo. According
to Jaramogi in his book, “[Odede] seemed to have no shortage of lorries and money to carry voters to the polls and it seemed obvious that there were forces secretly supporting him in order to oust me.” Rachilo managed 1,770 votes against Jaramogi’s landslide of 46,638 votes.

Fortunately for Rachilo, he secured a nomination.

In the LegCo, he urged that the Land and Freedom Army (Mau Mau) be listened to, “deal with them
constructively, not only destructively.” Advocating for Pan-Africanism he said that the Federation of Kenya, Tanganyika, Uganda and Zanzibar was “both economically and politically desirable and can only be achieved in proper form by the synchronism of the date for independence of all those territories.”

Rachilo pleaded with KANU to stop attacking KADU because Majimbo was not a bad thing, but he warned
that if the government was worried that Communist money was destroying the progress of the people of
Central Nyanza, then the government should ensure it undertook the development the people there needed.

That Communist money was a reference to Jaramogi who openly sympathized with the socialist cause.
While attending the Lancaster Conference in 1961 he met with leaders from Eastern Europe. It was the start of his Eastern Bloc scholarship scheme – launched to match the Tom Mboya-Gikonyo Kiano airlifts to America .

A Subtle Rivalry


The rift between Jaramogi and Rachilo — friends who had once shared a house in Maseno — appeared
to grow even more in the 1960s. On January 20, 1962 our sister, Pamela, a Makerere graduate and a
beneficiary of the Mboya-Kiano airlifts, got married to Jaramogi’s youthful and urbane rival in KANU, Tom Mboya.

Within KAU, Mboya had often dimmed Jaramogi’s light with powerful oratory and dexterous
fundraising. As KAU President, Rachilo had assigned Mboya the post of Director of Information. In 1956,
Mboya became KAU Treasurer.

Whenever he called for the termination of emergency regulations including the release of detainees, he mentioned Rachilo. According to Mboya’s biographer, David Goldsworthy, Mboya had also taken on the
responsibility of looking after our family.

But long before Mboya entered the mix a subtle rivalry had marked the relationship between Jaramogi
and Rachilo. The two were classmates at Maseno School —along with Elly Athembo, Archer Nyalik,
and Peter Oranga —where they completed Grade 8 in 1934.

They proceeded to Alliance. At Makerere College, then an affiliate of the University of London,
they completed Diploma courses —Jaramogi’s in Education (Mathematics) and Rachilo’s in Veterinary
Science.

They moved back to Maseno. When Jaramogi ran into problems with the school’s administration, it
was Rachilo who suggested that Jaramogi should join him at the adjacent Veterinary School.

In 1946, together with their colleague Richard Arina, they birthed the East-Africa wide Luo Union, headquartered in Kisumu, not Nairobi, to raise the consciousness of the people, spread education facilities and undertake investments.

That same year while he was in Nairobi where he had been appointed the African Representative Member
of LegCo to fill in for Bishop Beecher who was away on leave, Rachilo also became one of the founding members of United Kenya Club, a progressive multiracial assembly. He was now deeply entrenched in finding practical solutions to overcome racial segregation.

The following year, 1947, Rachilo and ex-Sergeant Major S.O. Josiah were invited to attend a course
conducted by future Provincial Commissioner Desmond O’Hagan to train a cadre of African administrators. Next, along with Argwings-Kodhek and two others, Rachilo secured a scholarship for further studies in Britain.

Jaramogi’s application for the same scholarship was simply ignored. Not long after, he was suspended from Maseno.

While studying in Lancaster where he was even registered as a voter in 1947 and 1948, Rachilo
was admitted as the only African member of the East African Natural History Society. He was a committed
academic and this was the time he published a pamphlet on Animal Husbandry.


Rachilo returned from Lancashire, Britain, in January 1949 aboard the Llanstephan Castle Ship, sailing on the Royal East Africa Service from London to Mombasa. Soon after he joined the faculty at Makerere where he settled in with a growing family, two wives and several children.

He returned to Kenya early in 1952 as a Director of the Associated Press of East Africa. He worked there for just a few months before he was detained.

…TO BE CONTINUED IN THE NEXT SERIES…

How Tuju transformed a village orphan into an international cybersecurity expert

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In a little-known village of Gagra in Uyoma of Rarieda constituency in Siaya county, some 20 years ago while in the hit of political campaigns for the parliamentary seat, a journalist turned politician Mr. Raphael Tuju planted a seed.

At the Gagra bus stop, during a stopover to address the public and seek votes, a boy in tattered clothes and a sunken face defied the odds and went over and knelt before Tuju seeking his ear for his predicament.

Touched by the boy’s desire, charm and boldness, Tuju asked one of his aides to listen to the boy and present his case to him later in the evening after the campaigns.

Speaking during the 50th anniversary of the late Walter Fanuel Odede at Chianda Primary school, Tuju for the first evoked the sweet memories of the Gagra seed that he planted during his hay political days that is currently rocking the globe on matters of Information technology and Cybersecurity.

Tuju, former Information and communication Minister told the residents that the orphan boy from Gagra is the living testimony of his legacy that fulfils his heart and a sweet memory for his contribution to the people of Uyoma, Rarieda, Kenya and the world at large.


Politics is dynamic. I remember I was with Prof. Anyang Nyongo in the cabinet. Former Minister the late John Michuki, once said politics is like a liver. On my way here to the venue, I remembered Prof Nyongo, at the corner of Gagra, I encountered a boy.

He stopped me. He wanted to speak to me. I listened to him for some minutes and then delegated my personal assistant to hear him out.

The boy explained to my aide that he was a total orphan and he was staying with his ageing grandmother. He had school fees problem. So I took over the matter and paid his school fees.

He never disappointed me. He passed his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examination (KCSE) and I got him a scholarship.

He did a course in IT and Economics in Morocco. He was among the few kids I took to Morrocco on scholarship. He studied there.

Today, he is an ICT Cyber security specialist. But I just got him here at Gagra. So on my way, I remembered about him when I approached Gagra junction.

He is an IT cybersecurity specialist running his business based in London. He is not based in Kenya.
Recently, when Kenya was having problems with the E-Citizen system and the British government was asked to give somebody to come and help Kenya.

He was the one who was given the responsibility to come help Kenya. You know of him, One Nyadenge. He came and solved and resolved Kenya’s problem of the e-citizen.

Currently, he is offering a similar service as a consultant in Rwanda, Botswana and I spoke to him a month ago and he was in South Africa.

He is offering the same consultancy service in Morocco but he is just the boy I met at Gagra.

So really, it is just amazing what one child can do. I have asked him to help more children in learning about cybersecurity.

So he is helping us to establish that Centre right here in Ralingo village in Rarieda. I remembered to tell the story about the boy, who is now an international cybersecurity expert,” he said Tuju said through the sacrifice and selflessness of the freedom fighter Odede, he drew his inspiration to help the needy and appealed to various leaders to provide such opportunities. Prof Nyongo who spoke at the same function said Tuju’s contribution to the people of Rarieda was unmatched and spoke volumes.

“Raph, one of the remarkable things about you, as somebody who is a leader. You may not remember when we were celebrating my marriage with my wife one time and I saw the picture where you were giving my wife some cake at the courtyard. You were the guest of honour. That is the day, I think Raph said something very important.
We as leaders celebrate each other not because of what we get out of politics but because of what we give to the people. Because, I tell you the truth, you do good service like Raph did in Rarieda and he was not elected. You don’t understand the logic,” he said.

Siaya Women Representative Dr Christine Ombaka said most of the infrastructural development in Rarieda was initiated by Tuju and they will remain his legacy.

“Tuju initiated various projects in Rarieda including health. Tuju is one of the best performing Luo leaders that we must recognize,” she said.

Nyong’o: How my mother’s piece of advice shaped my political career

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Anyang' Nyong'o Governor of Kisumu County
Anyang' Nyong'o Governor of Kisumu County

By Anderson Ojwang

Despite his academic acumen and vast knowledge of history and politics, Prof Peter Anyang Nyong’o had to chew a humble pie and listen to the wisdom of his mother.

In his bravado, Peter thought his ageing village mother, least understood the local and national politics, as he assumed that was best understood by lecturers and students of political science, of which he was one of them.

So the first term Kisumu Riral MP walked majestically to his mother and informed her of his intent to form a political party that he would use as his vehicle in future political dispensation and was disembarking from the once led by the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga’s, Ford-Kenya.

But the shot, terse and simple response from the mother would later come to change his political destinations to greater heights.

If anything, he owes it to Mama Dorcas Awino Nyong’o drawing her name from the biblical Dorcas who was a disciple of Jesus in the Bible who was known for her acts of kindness and charity, she redefined her son’s illustrious political career.

After the death of Jaramogi Odinga, a power struggle had rockedFord-K over the occupation of the post of vice chairperson following the elevation of Wamalwa Kijana to the acting chairman slot.

Then Langata MP Raila Odinga, who was also Director of Elections challenged Ugenya MP James Orengo for the seat.

Raila lost the seat to Orengo in the ballot by legislators from
Nyanza.

In Orengo camp were the late Achieng Oneko (Rarieda) Prof Ouma Muga (Rangwe) the late Dr Oki Ombaka (Gem) Prof Anyang Nyongo (Kisumu Rural) Otieno Mak Onyango (Alego Usonga) Dr Otieno Mc Kopiyo ( Kasipul Kabondo( Aluoch Polo (Rongo), the late Dennis Akumu (Nyakach), Aloo Ogeka (Muhoroni), Otieno Karan (Nyando) and Ochola Ogur ( Nyatike).

In Raila’s camp were his elder brother Dr Oburu Odinga (Bondo), Mama Phoebe Asiyo (Karachuonyo) the late Orwa Ojode (Ndhiwa) the late Otieno Kajwanga (Mbita), the late Joab Omino (Kisumu Town), Ochieng Mbeo (Mathare) and Owino Likowa (Migori).

After Raila lost to Orengo, he opted to challenge Wamalwa for the post of chairperson and Orengo’s allies from Luo Nyanza sided with the acting chairman.

Raila later resigned from Ford-K and used Omondi Oludhe-led National Development Party (NDP) to contest for the parliamentary by-election in Langata, which he easily won.


Nyongo who spoke during the 50th anniversary of the late Walter Fanuel Odede in Chianda Primary School in Uyoma, Rarieda sub-county said Kenya’s politics is rough and unappreciative.

“I knew I had done good work for the people of Kisumu Rural and my experience as the area MP was good enough to catapult me to the next level. I told my mother, that I had formed a party with some of my friends, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and it is the vehicle for
my next political destination,” he said.

But to his utter shock, Nyong’o got a disarming and simple response from his mother that only came to make sense later after some years.

The mother reportedly told him” You are complicating politics. Do not do what others are doing. People want simple things. Go where the people are and want you to be.”

In the 1997 general election, Nyongo lost the parliamentary seat to Wilson Ochoro Ayoki while among the Orengo’s allies, all lost their seats save for Ugenya constituency where Orengo rode back to the parliament.

“I lost the seat and learnt the hard lesson. My mother was right. I learnt that it was important to serve the people but do not look for any reward,” he said.

From the mother’s advice, in the 2022 general elections, Nyong’o joined the Raila political vehicle Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and recaptured his seat.

After the 2005 constitutional referendum and the subsequent formation of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party with Nyongo as the secretary general.

Nyongo became the first MP for the new Seme constituency and later the first senator for Kisumu county and currently the Governor for Kisumu and is in his final term.

After nearly 15 years of Raila’s helm at the ODM, Nyongo was appointed the alternate party leader.

Raila’s move to contest for the chair of African Union chairperson seat created a vacuum in the party leadership and the central management committee settled on Nyongo.

“Owing to the gruelling AU campaign” Raila had “designated” Nyong’o to chair meetings of the top decision-making committee until next February as Raila steps up his campaigns for the African Union Commission chairperson position.” Said Mr. Edwin Sifuna, the secretary general.

Nyong’o, Raila’s age mate who turns 79 next month, previously held the party leader position in an interim capacity in 2013. He has been a loyal ally of Raila, who also served as ODM’s secretary general.

He vacated the position amid a push for generational change by younger ODM lawmakers. 

Nyong’o had faced stiff competition from Siaya Governor James Orengo and interests that favoured a generational shift.

Younger lawmakers had preferred Sifuna, with Embakasi East MP Babu Owino touting himself as the best person to lead the party into the future.

Orengo had been equally aggressive but had raised eyebrows with his dalliance with Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka and impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, as well as his initial opposition to the broad-based deal.

Restriction

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Adapted from the Odede family by Dr. Joyce Nyairo whose first version of the article appeared in the Sunday Nation of October 20, 2024.

In restriction, Rachilo was allowed visits from his family. In his autobiography, Not Yet Uhuru, Jaramogi
Oginga Odinga says the Chief Secretary declined to grant him and his wife permission to visit his
friend in Samburu.

But even though many of us were young children, we remember fondly that despite this refusal, Jaramogi made sacrifices to make sure we were able to visit our father.

He drove us and our mother, Clara, to the train station to start the journey to Archer’s Post abattoir where Rachilo was held.

Alice Magolo, who was at the time the youngest child of our first Mum, Fedelia, recalls the strict terms of
those family visits and how the freedom fighters circumvented colonial scrutiny.

“We were not allowed to carry anything… No one was allowed to talk to him except in English which the whitemen could understand and that is why Jaramogi wrote letters updating him about the situation in the country. Such letters were hidden under my rubber shoes. Upon arrival, I would remove the letter and give it to Dad.”

One of our younger sisters was conceived during one of these family visits.

Rachilo named her Samburu to commemorate his years in detention, a name she carries to date.

At the end of one family visit, Rachilo refused to let go of one of our brothers, Jorry, who he left as a four-month-old infant on the night he was detained and who was now a school-going child.

“I stayed with him until the day he was released. “

We were driven in a Land Rover to our Ruma home.

It is fashionable these days to sneer at restriction, to argue that those held under its terms suffered little as they had comforts unknown to the prisoners in detention camps. ‘But the eight-year absence unsettled Rachilo.

To be kept away from your home without knowing when you will ever be released is psychological torture.

Perhaps a prison sentence which comes after a trial — such as those at Kapenguria had — is easier on the mind because one knows the length of the sentence.

Rachilo’s detention also affected us, his family. Our grandfather Obonyo, a fisherman, took on the extra burden of caring for us and our two mothers.

But our standard of living had come a long way down from the Makerere years when Rachilo was a Lecturer at the School of Veterinary Science.

Our bewildered community kept his name alive.

Like us in the family, they missed Rachilo’s presence, his counsel, and his support and they wondered out loud, in stories and in songs, where the white man had taken him, and why.

Just recently, Dr. Peninah OcholaOdhiambo warmed our hearts with memories of a music festival where her school bagged a trophy for their performance of Odede K’Obonyo

Odede K’Obonyo woud Owila.
Rachilo onindo kure woud jo
Chianda.
Eh eh eh Odede
ho ho ho Odede.
Wasunge tweyo mana kongeyo
onindo kure woud jo Chianda.

…TO BE CONTINUED IN THE NEXT SERIES…

20 eye patients to undergo free operation in Kisumu in January in honor of freedom fighter Odede

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By Anderson Ojwang

The 50th anniversary of former freedom fighter and chairman of Kenya  Africa Union (KAU), the late Walter Fanuel Odede, was marked by giving back sight to residents of Rarieda sub-county who suffer various eye problems.

During the event to mark the day, the residents had an opportunity to access free eye medical services provided by the Innovation Eye Centre based in both Kisumu and Kisii counties.

Prof Kiage, the founder and medical director of the centre said during the exercise they were able to give free medical service to 250 outpatients from the area.

“We identified 20 cases for theatre in Kisumu on 3rd January 2025. We had 18 cases suffering from cataracts and another two from glaucoma,” he said.

He said during the free eye clinic they were able to dispense 210 eye drops and also gave out 59 glasses to various patients.

“We saw patients of various ages and it is important that we should expose the public to continuous eye checks and clinics to help control preventable eye diseases,” he said.

The family’s chairman and spokesperson Dr Jorry Odede said his father was known for supporting the community in various ways and that is why they wanted to honour him in a special way by supporting the residents.

Dr Odede, a respected ophthalmologist in the country said the late Walter Odede’s contribution to  Kenya’s independence cannot be downplayed and that he sacrificed for the nation.

‘‘Walter dedicated his life to the country. He gave his all to the community and the country. That is why we found it befitting to celebrate his jubilee,” he said.

Kisumu Governor, Prof Anyang Nyong’o eulogized the late Odede as a person who was dedicated to transforming mankind and a respectable freedom fighter.

“I saw Odede and my father Cannon Nyong’o who was in charge of Rambira converse about what they could do to better the lives of the people. They were so passionate about education and economic welfare of the people. That is why I feel so honoured to be part of this journey,” he said.

Former Cabinet Minister Raphael Tuju said Odede was the country’s unsung hero and should be honoured by the country for his contributions.

Siaya Women Representative Dr Christine Ombaka credited the late Odede for spearheading education in the region and his contribution to agriculture.

“I am happy to be here to celebrate the milestone by Mzee. It is time we honor our leaders and Odede is ranked among the first. We cannot downplay his contribution,” she said.

Abduction Squad Has Outlived Its Usefulness

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By Billy Mijungu

As Kenya reaches the midterm of this administration’s tenure, we find ourselves at a crucial juncture.

This is the time when the public weighs the government’s performance and decides whether to rally behind it or call for change.

While the focus should ideally be on delivering economic progress, ensuring food security, improving healthcare, and providing quality education, none of these achievements will matter if the government continues to tarnish its own image with outdated and counterproductive tactics like abductions.

In my opinion, the so-called Abduction Squad may have served its intended purpose during a time of heightened unrest, but that time has passed.

The squad was designed to quell discontent, particularly among the outspoken and restless Generation Z.

However, the dynamics have shifted, and the government’s continued reliance on these methods only serves to erode public trust and amplify dissent.

The Gen Z demographic is not easily silenced.

They are vocal, tech-savvy, and operate predominantly in the digital space.

Their protests are less about physical demonstrations and more about shaping narratives on social media platforms.

Attempting to silence them through abductions or intimidation is not only futile but also counterproductive.

It fuels the very outrage the government seeks to quell.

The counterstrategy, therefore, must adapt to the times.

The government needs to engage this demographic which thrives on social media.

Instead of resorting to fear tactics, it should focus on a robust public relations campaign that portrays the administration as humble, listening, and responsive to the needs of the people.

Mr. President and the security sector, it is time to turn the page on this dark chapter. The latest incidents of abduction should be the last.

Replace these squads with strategic communication teams that work to rebuild trust and foster dialogue.

Engage professional institutions to communicate policies effectively.

Take a page from the COVID-19 era when the U.S. relied on Dr Anthony Fauci to provide clear and consistent messaging.

In Kenya, we had Dr Patrick Amoth, whose calm demeanour and factual updates inspired confidence.

Similarly, every major policy from livestock vaccination campaigns to housing projects should have a credible and relatable face to articulate the government’s vision.

Kenya’s challenges are significant, but they are not insurmountable.

With the right strategies, the government can win back public confidence and steer the country toward progress.

Abductions, however, are a relic of the past.

It’s time for a new approach one that prioritizes engagement over intimidation, trust over fear, and solutions over suppression.

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Why the appointment of former Governor Nderitu as Tax Czar is worth the bill

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By Paul Njenga

The recent appointment of former Laikipia Governor Mr Nderitu Murithi as the chairman of the Kenya Revenue Authority can be said to be a step in the right direction.

This is purely and largely due to the former governor’s vast experience and knowledge in resource mobilization and prudent financial management.

If there is a memorable gift that our president has given to this great nation ever since he was elected, it is the latest appointment of former Laikipia governor Ndiritu Miriithi as the tax czar.

This surely indicated how Ruto’s mindset has shifted from political patronage to meritocracy; Hongera mtukufu Rais!

In a nutshell the nation at large stands to benefit immensely from this appointment in various manners and versions.

First, this man has portrayed his knowledge and understanding of the subject matter through his various initiatives as Governor Laikipia, the County was able to triple its own source revenue from a mere 460m to 1.2 billion.

Of importance to note is that this growth did not amount to increased levy fees but the broadened tax base coupled with good revenue collection management.

During his tenure he was able to steer the County’s growth and a survey conducted then stipulated that if one wanted to live long they should have stayed in Laikipia.

Over and above this the man came up with several first financial innovations: first, the County leasing program, which was not only geared towards cutting the cost of maintenance and operating the County owned equipment which actually reduced drastically by 80% but also to reduce the cost of contractual engagement and further reduce the level of pending bills in the County, while at the same time ensuring efficient and effective service delivery.

The program also minimized wastage in the government.

As if this was not enough the man also came up with the infrastructural bond, which was trashed by those who took over from him.

However, this idea meant that counties are capable of expanding their own resource envelope through such instruments and hence enhancing the current developmental agenda.

For this to be actualized there are several internal activities that the enigma did, which included; 

a)Ensured steady growth in revenue collection

b)Operationalized the first-ever County revenue Board and ensured its total autonomy, hence depoliticizing revenue collection

c)Ensured professionalism in the management of the public service

d)Promoted good financial management and a good financial system with clean books of accounts

e)Promoted good stakeholder management

f)Developed the first-ever County statistical abstract for decision-making

Out of Laikipia, the former Governor has been engaged directly and indirectly by several counties in the republic all with the aim of trying to tap the wealth of knowledge that he has on the subject of his own source revenue and strengthening of the County treasuries of the regional governments.

The former governor is a guru in Public Finance Management specifically on the issue of resource mobilization.

This is exhibited in his prowess in aiding several Counties such as; Homabay, Kisumu, Nyamira, Nyandarua, and Wajir in their resolve towards the realization of their own source revenue potentials.

A case in hand is Homabay who in the financial year 2023-2024, collected an unprecedented KES 1.2 billion in Own Source Revenue (OSR) – a 235% increase, from KES 491.5 million in 2022-2023.

This is a continuous improvement since her performance was 146.4 m in 2021/22 an overall improvement of 821.9%, which is attributed to effective fiscal policies, the dedication of County staff, and the trust and cooperation of citizens but not an increase in levy or packing charges.

Going by the key success stories indicated here, this means that the country at large is going to tap a lot of benefits in having this chap heading the board of the KRA.

The board is the prima facie tasked with giving strategic directions to any organization.

In my view, a strong, professionally competent chairperson is key for the important policies and strategies to be formulated.

Governor Ndiritu Muriithi is a believer in positive economics thus the more reason why he insisted on data-driven decision making. 

The Kenya’s unsung hero: Fanuel Walter Odede, the freedom fighter.

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A Lifetime of Remarkable Achievements and Selfless Service.

Adapted from the Odede family by Dr. Joyce Nyairo whose first version of the article appeared in the Sunday Nation of October 20, 2024.

In the song Unbwogable by Gidi Gidi and Maji Maji we are told we must remember the elders, those who
lifted us (“Ya Jodongo nyaku ipar … Jomo otingi nyaki par”).

The fact that the name Fanuel Walter Odedeis missing when the roll-call in that song salutes four generations of fighters and truth-tellers (Oginga Odinga, Tom Mboya, Robert Ouko, Raila Amolo, Gor Mahia, Okatch Biggy, Orengo Jimmy, (Princess) July of the famous “Dunia Mbaya” song, Anyang Nyong’o, Joe Donde, (Shem) Ochuodho) does not erase our patriarch’s contribution to our freedom struggles.

But it does dramatize how quickly a society forgets. As a family, we have never forgotten our patriarch, who was popularly known as Rachilo.

His stamp on our clan is indelible. But since most of us were very young when he departed, we have had to put in a lot of effort to find and to understand the full story of our patriarch’s work as a Veterinary Surgeon, an academic, a community organizer, a freedom fighter and a legislator.

Our commitment to filling the gaps in our larger family’s knowledge of our patriarch is also a contribution
to our country’s annals of liberation narratives in ways that bring honour to forgotten freedom fighters.

It also raises the name of our home, Uyoma location, which is also the birthplace of another freedom
fighter from that independence era, Richard Ramogi Achieng’ Oneko.

Both men were detained by the colonial government. Oneko found his rightful place in the legend
called Kapenguria Six.

Our patriarch however was relegated, unremembered as an articulate nominated member of the Legislative Council (LegCo), uncelebrated as President of the Kenya African Union (KAU) in the heat of Mau Mau, unsung as a detainee who was confined for eight years.

Reflecting on the untold story of Mau Mau and nationhood fifty years after the clampdown that began
with Operation Jock Scott in October 1952, Professor Bethwell Allan Ogot observes that some heroes are
inconvenient. By dint of their associations, and perhaps their achievements, they don’t fit in well with the stories we tell ourselves about who suffered the most, who lost the most, who gave the most, for our freedom.

Detention

Our patriarch was arrested under “emergency regulations” on the night of March 8, 1953, in Kaloleni Nairobi. According to Professor Ogot, earlier in the day, Rachilo had attended a KAU celebration at Desai Memorial Hall.

In October 1952 when the KAU president, Jomo Kenyatta, was arrested, it was Rachilo who stepped up to take on the presidency of that fierce liberation party. Together with Pio Gama Pinto, Joseph Murumbi and Wycliffe Works Wasya Awori, Rachilo raised funds for the defence of Jomo, Oneko, Fred Kubai, Kung’u Karumba, Bildad Kaggia and Paul Ngei at the now famous Kapenguria trial.

Rachilo often accompanied the lawyers that KAU retained to fight the case on their long journey to Kapenguria.

On one of those drives, their car got into an accident. Realizing that the lawyer, Dennis Pritt — a Queen’s Counsel, might be held over the accident, Rachilo offered himself as the person who was driving at the time of the accident.

He was willing to face the charges to ensure his KAU compatriots in the dock would not be denied legal representation. At Desai Hall on that fateful day in March 1953, KAU members gathered to rejoice over the powerful submissions made at the trial by Dennis Pritt.

It is said that what irked the colonialists most against Rachilo was his act of honouring Pritt by installing him as a Luo elder. Rachilo presented Pritt with the traditional three-legged stool, a fly whisk, and robed him in the ceremonial Colobus monkey skin.

The following morning the colonial government issued a statement. Rachilo had been suspended from LegCo and placed in detention because ‘he had been in touch with Mau Mau Movement …had been attempting to spread into Nyanza Province the violent methods adopted by Mau Mau … has threatened a number of loyal Africans with the same fate as has been suffered by some law-abiding Kikuyu.’

In a letter written six weeks after Rachilo’s arrest, Nairobi Councillor Ambrose Ofafa explained that Governor Evelyn Baring had told him Odede would stand trial as soon as witnesses agreed to testify.

Rachilo’s detention invoked widespread outrage. On March 10, 1953, Mr. Fenner Brockway, a vocal Labour
Party MP and founding member of the Congress of Peoples Against Imperialism and the Movement for
Colonial Freedom called for Rachilo’s release in the British Parliament.

In South Africa, two magazines, Drum and Contact, restated in October 1958 that “Odede should have been brought to public trialsome five years ago.”

Like Pinto who was arrested in April 1954 during Operation Anvil, Rachilo was never tried in court. Colonial officers raided his Uyoma home in search of evidence of his Mau Mau activities.

Seemingly, they found nothing. No-one ever stepped forward to bear witness against Rachilo, not even the alleged snitch Chief Gideon Magak of Kasipul. Rachilo was held for eight years.

First in the Kwale and Maralal detention camps, later in restriction in Samburu where his skills as a Veterinary Surgeon were exploited on settler ranches.

He also inspected the herds of the local pastoralists since range management and livestock control were key to colonial occupation and containing Mau Mau.

….TO BE CONTINUED IN THE NEXT SERIES….

What and which game is former President Uhuru up to ?

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By Anderson Ojwang

For the last one month, the immediate former President Uhuru Kenyatta has been calling shots in the country’s political landscape and is emerging as the new determinant of the terrain.

Former President Uhuru in the past had insisted that he recognizes Azimio La Umoja Raila Odinga as his leader despite losing to President William Ruto in the 2022 Presidential contest.

Uhuru’s long absence from the country had caused concern but his return back in October has stirred a new political wave in the country and power jostling and repositioning.

With Raila now occupied with his African Union chairperson bid, Uhuru finds himself as the main determinant and controller general of the current political processes and realignment in the country.

Raila had in the year said that he was exiting the local political scene for the international arena and handed his Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party instruments to Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang Nyong’o.

The vacuum left by Raila was so gaping that Kalonzo failed to tap in on the opportunity and Uhuru has returned to occupy the space and is currently the bride in the market at the moment.

In the months of November and December, Uhuru has engaged in a high-octane political activity by engaging with three top Kenya leaders who have been viewed as probable Presidential contestants in the 2027 general elections.

Uhuru first attended the wedding of Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s daughter which stirred political reactions with a section of Kenyans reading politics in it.

After the wedding at a function in Ukambani, impeached deputy president Rigathi Gachagua declared a possible political alliance with Kalonzo after what he termed as a betrayal of the mountain by President Ruto.

Uhuru’s key allies, former Cabinet minister Eugene Wamalwa and Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni have maintained that Uhuru support the Kalonzo-led team.

Then President William Ruto flew to Ichaweri village in Gatundu, Uhuru’s home, where they held a discussion that subsequently culminated in the appointment of the former president’s key allies into the cabinet.

Among the key allies included the Head of Azimio La Umoja Presidential Secretariat in the 2022 general elections and former Laikipia Governor Nderitu Murithi.

Murithi was appointed chairperson, of the Board of Directors, Kenya Revenue Authority where he takes over from Ruto’s key point man Mr Antony Mwaura who has been moved to chairperson of the Board of Directors Kenya Rural Roads Authority.

President Ruto again has brought into his fold, strategic allies of his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta, who he hopes will hold sway in Mt Kenya and will be capable of propagating the Kenya Kwanza government and the President’s agenda.

In his new cabinet appointments, President Ruto has brought key Uhuru allies who campaigned for Azimio La Umoja presidential candidate Raila Odinga in the last general election.

The new appointees include Mutahi Kagwe who was Health Minister in Uhuru’s regime and is now the cabinet secretary of Agriculture and Livestock Development.

Former Nakuru governor Lee Kinyanjui who lost the seat to Ruto’s close ally Susan Kihika, will now be the cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry while former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo, another Uhuru ally, is the cabinet secretary of the Ministry of Information, Communication and Digital Economy.

President Ruto also appointed former Muranga senator and former deputy speaker in the 2013-2017 senate Kembi Gitura.

Kembi was also appointed Kemsa chair after he lost the election and was fired over an alleged scandal in procuring of covid 19 supplies.

On Friday, December 27, Uhuru was at the wedding of his former interior cabinet secretary Dr Fred Matiangi.

This came after Matiangi recently declared his presidential ambition for 2027.

Former Kenyan interior Cabinet minister Matiang’i seems to be seriously and quietly considering running for president in 2027, as he has hired a Montreal-based Canadian lobbying firm for $250,000 to garner international support.

According to documents filed by Dickens & Madson with the United States Department of Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, Dr Matiang’i hired the company on 13 July 2024.

Like Dr Matiang’i, President Masisi of Botswana also enlisted the services of the same company on 10 July of this year, just three days earlier.

His recent victory as President of Botswana has sparked excitement, as it ended the ruling party’s 58-year hold on power.

Additionally, Mr. Dumo Buko succeeded in removing his predecessor after just one term.

Recently, Matiang’i sparked buzz and excitement among residents of Kitui days after declaring his interest in running for president in 2027.

Matiang’i toured the Eastern side of the nation on Friday while on his way from Katulani village where he had gone to condole with the family of his bodyguard Christopher Wambua who passed on in September.

The former CS made stopovers in different parts of the county, where he interacted with locals and hawkers along Kitui- Machakos road.

Political analyst and Nairobi based advocate Patrick Ouya said Uhuru’s political game was still on and Kenyans will by next year witness major political realignment.

At Matiangi’s daughter’s wedding, Uhuru was accompanied by his key allies namely former Laikipia Governor Murithi Nderitu, Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, former Solicitor General Njee Muturi, former Internal Security Permanent Secretary Dr.Kibichu and former MP David Murathe.

This was a powerful team. Uhuru carried all his troops to Matiangi’s daughter’s wedding but went alone to Kalonzo’s. He stayed longer than at Kalonzo’s. The game is still on.

Maybe he wants to create confusion, and scatter in the wrong direction. Gather them and will definitely declare his preferred candidate,” he argued.

Former Nyakach MP Ochieng Daima argued that Uhuru has realized of the vacuum left by Raila and wants to capitalise on it for the moment.

“Uhuru is playing the political game. But he is a man you cannot rely on his word and action to take you anywhere. He fears the mountain and will not go against its tide,” he said.

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