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Tremors in the Mountains as the restive Lake calms down

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Truthful man
By Anderson Ojwang

Political tremors are rocking the once quite  and galvanized house of Mumbi and threaten to split the mountain right down the middle.

But the once restive and hostile Lake has calmed down and witnessed a new political dawn that have been illusive for over 60 years.

The country two main  political protagonists are currently taking unchartered and unfamiliar paths in an emerging new dispensation ahead of the 2027 Presidential elections.

The Mountains and the Lake have been the main political pillars of the nation and united during pre-independence struggle to deliver the country from the yoke of the British colonial government.

The Mountain, the dominant vote block and determinant in the country’s political landscape  is currently facing uncertain future as incessant power struggles burst in open.

The once a united political bloc in the country, Mt Kemya is fast being polarized into various political units ahead of the 2027 general election. 

A  political rematch could be in the offing pitting two senior sons from the region namely Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Interior Cabinet Minister Prof Kithure Kindiki.

The tremors in the Mountains have been escalated by the entry of immediate former ODM leader Raila Odinga into a political alliance with President William Ruto that has witnessed the birth of broad based government.

In the Mountains, the battles have been both on the ground in rallies and various political functions while at the same time on the social media platforms which have become the new edge.

Reminiscent of the battle for the choice of  Ruto’s running mate in the 2022 presidential elections, which narrowed down to Rigathi and Kindiki, today the scene is replaying itself again.

Ahead of the 2022 naming of the running mate, the party had  shortlisted namely:  Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, Kandara MP Alice Wahome, National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki and Gachagua. The latter emerged victorious amid protests  from the party ranks.

The black smoke to signal that things were not well in the Kenya Kwanza government and the mountain  was blown by Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa.

 In  a strange twist of unfolding political event Barasa revived  the  controversial and contentious debate over Gachagua’s nomination claiming  that  Ruto overruled a caucus that picked Kindiki as running mate last presidential election.

“Gachagua secured a single vote when Mt Kenya leaders convened at Ruto’s official residence in Karen to pick a running mate,”  he recently claimed.

Barasa claimed that they were embarrassed and will now have to plead for forgiveness for overruling the choice of Kindiki as running mate.

In what appears to be a well-choreographed political scheme,  first  the Mount Kenya East where 20 MPs named Kindiki as their political godfather

And yesterday, 48 MPs from the region and the diaspora have declared  allegiance to Interior cabinet  secretary as tremors gathers momentum

The endorsement of Kindiki as their link to the Executive is a pointer to widening rift in the region that may lead to a divided house in the next general election.

“ We have resolved after consultations to have a link that will create a nexus with the Executive on matters of development,’ they said.

But Rigathi has also stood his gun saying  he was listening to the ground and committed to Mt Kenya unity by articulating its agenda in the distribution of national cake. 

“Leaders should desist from creating narratives that do not exist I will not relent in pushing for the interests and unity of the Mt Kenya region,” the Deputy President  said.

Kigumu MP Joseph Munyara  a close ally of DP wrote in a in a press statement “ Unless and until his excellency deputy president formally informs us of his  inability to advocate for  the right of the region, we shall continue to stand by him as our highest  representative in this  administration,

He said unity in the  Mt Kenya  cannot be achieved through the weakening  of its  leadership and that the local leaders must  avoid premature political campaigns.

But escalation of a political earthquake has been heightened further by National Assembly majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah who publicly told off  Gachagua over his unity bid asking him to stop preaching regional politics.

“ The DP is a leader holding a national office and he should seek to unite all Kenyans instead of those from his community alone. If we truly believe that we hold offices that bestow on you the role of being a symbol of national unity, seek to unite the people of Kenya not the people of Mt Kenya,” he said.

While the Mountain is rattled, the Lake is witnessing the calm with the  exit of immediate ODM leader from the local political scene to continental arena.

Recently, the party appointed Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang Nyong’o to be the  acting party leader while other former party luminaries settle in their cabinet portfolios after recent appointment.

President Ruti recently undertook a four day tour of Nyanza where he was welcomed with leaders pledging support for his administration.

The dilemma : The political carrot that has become Mbita-Sori road

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Mbita road
By Sandra Blessings

The 74Km road Mbita-Sori road has been the hallmark of political theatrics, turned into a musical chair and a political carrot by subsequent governments 

For eons, the road has become a political tool by parliamentary, presidential candidates and the new regimes that have come into power.

The Sh 2.83B road project has become more a political decoy by the subsequent regimes to hood wink the residents and the leadership into dancing to the tune of the power that be.

Now the government will spend Sh 2.9 billion to complete and has developed a new payment model where after completion of every 7 kilometers , the contractor is paid.

Suba South is the only Constituency that does not have a tarmacked road in Homa Bay County.

Currently, a pollical dilemma over the road has been created with the appointment of former Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) national chairman as the Cabinet Secretary for Treasury in the broad based government 

Ironically, Suba South MP Karoli Omondi changed political allegiance from ODM to President William Ruto government with hope that the new administration would complete the age-old project.

The emerging intrigue and drama are about who will be credited with the eventual completion of the road, is it cabinet Secretary for Treasury or the MP as major political realignment takes shape in Suba South and nationally ?

In 2011 works on the road had stalled when the former contractor had experienced hitches and left when they had constructed  7Km between Mbita and Sindo towns.

This year another 7 km from Magunga to Yenga was done by a new contractor bringing a total 14 kilometers under tarmac.

But after the political handshake between former President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga after 2017 presidential elections.

The  former area MP John Mbadi cited the handshake as  the reason behind the then expected resumptions of works on the road from Ogolo Muok towards Sori in Nyatike constituency in Migori. 

During the handing over of the project to the contractor, Mbadi said  tarmacking of a 74km road connecting Homa Bay and Migori counties was to begin in 21 days after the project was handed over to China Civil Engineers Construction Corporation. And this never came to pass.

“The truce between President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga made it easy for them to push for the construction of the road,’ he said.

But just like the first contractor, the second contractor also allegedly withdrew because of lack of funds to complete the work. Nyanza regional commissioner Flora Mworoa together with the director of Presidential Delivery Unit Silvance Osele and Homa Bay County Commissioner Moses Lilan said the government is keen to complete construction of the road by 2028.

Construction of the road had suffered delay during the era of the Jubilee government where contractor (s) abandoned the work over unclear reasons.

President Ruto had already launched construction of the road when he toured the area in October last year. He promised that his government would tarmac the road to improve the living standards of the people.

The situation forced the government to terminate the contract and hire another contractor.

And in the turn of events before the formation  of broad based government, the Abasuba Council of Elders had told area MP Caroli Omondi to work with the government to revive tarmacking of a stalled 73 km road in the area after it was started five years ago. 

The Council chairman in Gwassi region Valentine Odhuno, the Council Secretary Job Ikawa and other members wanted to work with President William Ruto’s government to revive the construction of the road.

The senior citizens told Omondi to work with the government and influence the implementation of development projects.

This time round the government has contracted China Civil Engineering Construction Cooperation Limited to undertake the work in bits (the milestone base method).

Mworoa said the new method will prevent similar challenges they experienced previously in construction of the road from reoccurring.

“The government is avoiding any repeat of challenges it experienced before in constructing the road. Currently, the first section of the project which is 7.4km is ready for tarmacking,” Mworoa said.

“Suba South is rich agricultural production but the only problem is lack of roads. This road will enable farmers to get the value for their produce,” the residents said.

Odhuno said they are relying on cooperation between Omondi and the Kenya Kwanza Government to influence the construction of the road.

Raila walks Luo community from political desert  back into the government

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Raila Odinga
By Anderson Ojwang

FIVE decades after the Luo community walked into political desert, the community has remained a pariah to subsequent regimes.

Despite several attempts to re-integrate into the government,  the community has often been viewed by suspicion, skepticism and often vanquished and tagged to the opposition

From independence heroes and heroine, the community became socio-economic and political  villain after the fall out between the founding president the late Jomo Kenyatta and his Vice the late Jaramogi Ajuma Oginga Odinga.

Odinga walked the Luo community into the political desert where they have wondered for over five decades and even presidential attempts have been nought.

After the fall out, the community has run into a cocktail of socio-economic and political tribulations and misfortunes.

Such misfortunes include the deaths and assassinations of leading figures namely Tom Joseph Mboya, Argwings Kodhek, Odhiambo Mbai, Dr Robert Ouko among others.

The economic tribulations include the collapse of the cotton industry that subsequently saw the death of Kisumu Cotton Millis (KICOMI), the struggling of the sugar industry and the  negative business environment towards the community. 

Jaramogi  before his death tried to bring the community back into the government by offering olive branch to then the late president Daniel Moi. 

Back in 1993, Jaramogi  had decided to end hostilities between himself and Moi, in order to foster national cohesion and development.

His first gesture of goodwill was to attend the Madaraka Day celebrations presided by Moi, having boycotted all other previous national festivals.

Jaramogi spread his olive branch even further, by inviting Moi to his home in Bondo, where he was given a warm welcome, despite some of Jaramogi’s followers claiming that he had sold them out.

Jaramogi was of the opinion that the role of the opposition was not simply to engage in endless confrontation with the government, but to rather work with the state to implement sound policies when the time was right.

In Jaramogi’s footstep, his son Raila Amolo Odinga engaged Moi and where he dissolved his party National Development Party (NDP) to become Kanu Secretary General.

“Moi and I reconciled after the political differences of the 1980s and early 90s and we were able to work together to bring more reforms to the country,” he said.  

“Our cooperation gave way to merger with his party KANU, which put the country firmly on the path to a new constitution by enabling the formation of the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission (CKRC),” Raila said recalling his NDP’s merger with Kanu.

But Raila would later lead a walkout from Kanu after President Moi picked Uhuru Kenyatta as his preferred successor. The rebel faction identified as the Rainbow Alliance that later joined NAK of Mwai Kibaki, Kijana Wamalwa and Charity Ngilu to form Narc, the opposition coalition that ended the independent party’s reign.

Raila during Kibaki death said he declared “Kibaki Tosha” at a critical time when the country was yearning for a regime change but the negotiations among the opposition leaders were taking so long.

” I decided to take the debate to Wananchi and asked them, ‘Si Kibaki Tosha?’ and they started singing ‘Yote Yawezekana bila Moi.”

But Raila did not last long in Kibaki’s government as he walked out once again with the community back to the opposition after the Memorandum of Understanding was not honored.

He blamed  some opportunists around Kibaki ensured that the MoU was not implemented. Again, the community were back to the desert.

“There was a clique around Kibaki and they are the people who are responsible for the rejection of the MoU. I said it was not Kibaki. These were people around him,” he said.

Raila, who formed the grand coalition government with Kibaki after the 2007- 08 post-election violence.

In 2013 Presidential election, Raila lost to President Uhuru Kenyatta and the community remained in the shadows of the government after having supported Raila’s candidature to man.

Similarly, Raila lost to Uhuru again in the contentious election that was nullified by the Supreme Court but boycotted the repeat elections.

But as fate would have it, Raila entered into political handshake with President Uhuru, in the arrangements, the Luo were never appointed to the cabinet but pockets of development projects were initiated in Nyanza.

With President Uhuru in his final term, it was anticipated that the handshake would finally handover Presidency to Raila and the Luo community, once again Raila, lost to Ruto.

After the 2022 election loss, Raila has once again entered into a broad based political alliance with Ruto that has witnessed the community secure plum cabinet slots in the government.

Similarly, President Ruto is driving Raila’ candidature for AU chair that has finally made the ODM leader to make a call on the local politics.

Raila recently handed over the party mantle to Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang Nyongo to lead the Central Committee in his absence.

Equally, President Ruto is also benefitting from decision by Raila to take the Luo community to the government and hand them over to him

It remains to be seen if the community will finally settle in Canaan from Misri or they will bolt back to the desert?

Kisumu’s Revenue Board rocked with allegations of Corruption as employees turn whistle blowers

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Kisumu
By Anderson Ojwang

Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang Nyong’o could be staring at a rotten egg in his face after an ambitious initiative to form Kisumu Revenue Board (KRB) to soar up revenue collections has been by rocked by a multi-million scandal.

In one of the patriotic moves by a section of the employees at the board who became whistle blowers and brought to the notice of Governor Nyong’o’ over what they termed as “ blatant corruption” at the facility.

In an Exclusive Interview with The Western Insight Newspaper, the employees who spoke on condition of anonymity claimed they noticed variance with the actual collection and reconciliation that were not adding up.

Similarly, they observed glitches with the system and manipulations of the accounts that raised eyes and concerns over the financial transactions in the facility.

‘We have been raising transactions and system queries on a daily basis with the Board Directors but there were dismissive. We therefore decided to pass the coded message to the Governor and his team to act. We are happy something is being done,” said one of the employees at the board who did not want to be quoted.

They claimed the actual financial reports and reconciliations were not adding up  and that is why each employee declined to sign the financial reports  because they were not reflective of actual revenue collection position.

They claimed reshuffles and changes in the staff by the board could have been a wider scheme to Fastrack the corruption because it was only after the changes were affected some malpractices were recorded.

But the Chairman of the Board Dr Hezron Ombewa denied the allegations saying some cartels were out to undermine the good work of the board after all loopholes have been sealed off by systems that have been put in place.

Dr Ombewa claimed that some of the disfranchised staff who were printing fake receipts  and denying the county revenue were the people behind the cheap propaganda and the blackmail.

But in a quick rejoinder Mr. Steve Ogolo, who is a member of the board and chairman of the Revenue Enhancement Committee said the board was investigating the allegations and had directed 26 employees to proceed on annual leave to allow audit.

He denied claims that the board was accomplish to the pilferage saying they had boosted revenue collection from Sh 1.1B to sh 1.5B within the last one year.

Ogolo admitted that it was the Governor who raised the issue of alleged financial pilferage with them  and they are addressing the concerns.

“We  as a board came into office a year ago, at that time,  the county revenue system had been switched off by the service provider. So the country was struggling to collect revenue until we got a new system,” he said

Mr. Ogolo said they onboarded a service provider, the Safaricom that came into place in December 15 2023 and it was a new system with no modules.

He said there were teething challenges at the initial stage ranging from the system to opposition by some employees and cartels from transiting to cashless from manual money collection.

“Some of the employees resisted the change or avoided using the new system and preferred manual cash collection may be due to lack of knowledge. But currently, we have embarked on job training,” he said.

He acknowledged claims of allegation of fraud and that is why measures have been taken measures to verify the claims and close gaps that may emerge,” he said.

Mr. Ogolo said after consultative meeting with the Governor and CEC Finance, it was agreed that a reputable  External System Auditor  be invited to audit the system .

Similarly, the service provider, The Safaricom was also asked to undertake their own audit and represent a report to the County Government for further action.

“This is a system which is new and we cannot say it is foolproof. That is why we are engaging external system auditor to help us with the task,” he said.

Mr. Ogolo said the board had made tremendous program and initiated various changes including decentralizing revenue base to the 35 wards.

He said all the revenue streams have been digitalized  and currently the county is nearly 100 percent cashless.

The board recently appeared before the Kisumu County Assembly that wanted them to shade more light on the allegations and to take a possible action should there be need.

Kuja Irrigation scheme holds key to a neweconomic dispensation for Migori County

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Kuja irrigation Scheme
By Anderson Ojwang

The Lower Kuja  irrigation Scheme could be a key to an economic milestone for Migori county once the two phases of the project are completed.

The project is envisaged to inject Sh 6 billion into local economy and could trigger a  new economic dispensation in the poverty ravaged county.

In a recent report, Migori County Covid-19 Social Economic   Re-Engineering Recovery strategy of 20202/21-2022/23 puts the county poverty index  at 41.8 percent.

Similarly, the report says Migori County Gross County Product (GCP) accounted for 1.3 per cent of total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as at 2017. 

The GCP increased from Ksh. 52,910 Million in 2013 to Sh. 96,337 Million in 2017 representing an average growth rate of 16.4 per cent per year. 

The service sector contributes 46.0 per cent of GCP while agriculture, manufacturing and other industries sector share constituted 42.4 per cent, 2.81 per cent and 8.0 per cent, respectively. 

The services sector includes such activities as wholesale and retail trade. Agriculture is mainly dominated by crop farming and fishing activities while industries and manufacturing include small scale production of consumer goods such as plastics, furniture and textiles.

But the agricultural sector has also witnessed the collapse of tobacco framing  while Sony Sugar Company is tethering towards its death bed leaving sugar farmers in huge debts.

The Lower Kuja Irrigation scheme in Nyatike constituency will both directly and indirectly  benefit 197,000 persons upon completion of the project.

It is anticipated that the project will create job opportunities  to more than 250,000  Kenyans, which will go a long way in addressing the soaring unemployment in the country.

President William Ruto during a  recent visit to Migori County, visited the facility and expressed commitment to completion of the project.

Currently, the scheme host 5,000 farmers who have been linked with the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) for subsidized fertilizer. 

The project area covers six locations and 13 sub-locations in Nyatike and Karungu divisions. 

Various feasibility studies in the 1980s by the Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA) revealed the potential for irrigation within the Nyatike area with the use of water for irrigation from the two rivers of Kuja and Migori. 

 “ The project can improve the rice production in the country, create a sustainable supply of raw materials like straw, oil and hull for Agro-based industries as well as contribute to the foreign exchange,” says Eng Gilbert Maluku, chair, National Irrigation Authority (NIA). 

The project cost for the two phases is  estimated at Sh. 2.6 Billion with an  7, 000 acres of rice will be cultivated in phase I and an additional 12,000 acres in phase II accounting for 19,000 acres of land for irrigation. 

Currently, the scheme only has 6,000 acres under rice farming, which is partly active

Equally, the project will have 47 Kilometers of a drainage system, 212 kilometers of on-farm drainage and an extension of the 2.06-kilometre canal network.

The project has also seen the establishment of a private miller around the Irrigation Scheme that will not only increase rice production but also wealth creation and job opportunities in the county. 

The rice scheme is in line with Vision 2030 and the Big Four agenda of; food and nutritional security to ensure; food security at the local level that will contribute towards the same at the national level.⁹ 

Despite the economic potential, the project has witnessed obstacles that has undermined its actualization.

The thorny and emotive land compensation and court injunctions have nearly derailed the project.

Over 40 court cases have been filed against the National Irrigation Authority over the compensation claims temporarily and occasionally stalling the project.

 But Maluki recently said  already 68 Million had been allocated to compensate residents who gave their land for the construction of the scheme. 

Already a team of officers from the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) have pitched a camp at the Lower Kuja irrigation scheme to verify individuals who are supposed to be compensated. 

However, an additional 98 million is required to fully cater for the compensation package which stands at 166 million. 

The County Government in a bid to boost rice farming  has distributed  1000kgs of high yielding certified rice seeds to 100 farmers in Lower Kuja Irrigation scheme for this season.

“ By providing certified  rice seeds, my government is equipping farmers with the necessary resources to increase  productivity and improve quality of the yields,” says Governor Dr Ochilo Mbogo Ayacko.

A health economist and a farmer from Nyatike constituency Mr. Wicklife Ongara.says the project has a potential of turning around the economy of Migori.

“With the death of tobacco and limping sugar sector,  rice farming remains the only viable economic path for the county to reverse the  endemic poverty,” he says.

Homa Bay county dominates in women in elected leadership in Nyanza

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Homabay county
By Trina Chebaibai

Homa Bay county can be argued as one of the leading counties in Kenya where women have dominated in the political landscape.

The National Gender and Equality Commission said Kenyans elected 30 female MPs, up from 23 in 2017, seven female governors, up from three in 2017, and three female senators, the same number as in 2017

Homa Bay county accounted for 10 percent of the total number of  30 female MPs elected during the last general election with Kisumu county producing one elected female MP.

The rest of 90 percent was shared by the other 46 remaining counties while Siaya, Nyamira, Kisii and Migori produced no female MP and have for decades maintained the status quo.

But Homa Bay county has  been writing her story for decades in promoting female/ women to elective positions in the country.

To break the jinx from a patriarchal controlled men political landscape in Homa Bay was former Karachuonyo MP Mama Phoebe Asiyo .

Mama Asiyo dethroned then powerful Kanu luminary, the late Okiki Amayo in one of the fiercest political contests in the country to open the doors to women from the region to take up elective positions.

And following her step is  the first elected woman Governor from Western Kenya, Mrs. Gladys Nyasuna Wanga.

Wanga broke the barrier to win the hotly contested gubernatorial elections against former Nairobi Governor Dr  Evans Kidero.

Apart from Wanga, Homa Bay has three elected members of parliament serving their fourth and second terms respectively in Millie Odhiambo Suba south,  Eva Obara(Kabondo) and Dr Lillian Gogo (Rangwe).

This gives, the women in leadership to occupy 40 percent of the elective post out of the eight constituencies in the county.

But while Homa Bay county is receptive to women leadership other counties in Nyanza namely Siaya, Migori, Kisumu, Nyamira and Kisii have relegated women to the political periphery.

Historically, Nyanza pioneered in producing women in elective leadership with Kisumu producing the first female Kenya mayor the late Grace Onyango in 1965-1969,

Onyango was also the first female member of parliament in post-independence  after she was elected to represent Kisumu Town constituency in 1969.

Onyango was the first woman to sit in the speaker’s chair as  temporary deputy speaker and served as deputy speaker from 1979-1984.

Similarly, respected author, nurse and journalist, the late Grace Ogot was the Gem MP and the first and only elected member of parliament from Siaya County.

Equally, Mama Phoebe Asiyo was the  MP for Karachuonyo and the first woman legislator from Homa Bay county and  through her mentorship various and several women have risen to elective positions in the county.

Mama Phoebe became the first woman to be elevated to a Luo elder  for her efforts to promote education for girls, women rights, and gender equality in Kenya.

Mama Asiyo says Homa Bay county has been able to produce more women MPs because of the liberal and accommodative nature of the politics in the region.

“We were able to break the traditional customs that undermined women in leadership and through continues engagement we have been able to have more women in leadership in Homa Bay,’ she says.

Mama Asiyo as a role model to majority of women , she has been able to intervene and support them across the political bridges and that is why we have witnessed upsurge in number of women seeking political offices.

Ms. Sella Ayimba a parliamentary contestant for Siaya Women Representative in the last general elections says some counties are rigid and do not allow women in leadership.

“In these counties, they are driven by male chauvinist tendencies where they view women to only procreation and not leadership,’ she says.

Sella says politics is such a big investment and, in most cases, women are disadvantaged and lack resources to mount meaningful campaigns and thus become more of voters in the exercise.

“In the  last general elections some women and men would ask  me why I was not married. So to some electorates one can only hold elective position  when she  is married and this scare majority from participating in elections,” she argues.

Dr Otieno Obondi says Homa Bay is still more of a traditional set up where the Luo cultural practices  are still intact and being practiced ranging from farming and to other rights.

“Tn Homa Bay county, women are mostly playing lead roles in farming and other cultural practices and these exposes their leadership traits and that is why they are easily electable ,” he argues.

Dr Otieno says women from the region have acquired the virtue of humility, down to earth and simple in their presentations unlike those from say Kisumu City who are sophisticated and complicated and hardly fits within the village social realms.

“Our women from Kisumu County are sophisticated and hardly participate in local activities. They are viewed as  strangers and subsequently become unelectable in a male-dominated contests, ’he says.

University Scholar Prpf G Nyotumba says ODM party leader Raila Odinga policy of supporting women in politics has sync with the residents of Homa Bay but has been rejected in other counties.

“All these women leaders have won the seats because of the support of Raila. Some have performed well in their mandate while others have been dismal,” he says.

But cultural and traditional beliefs have negated ambition of various women from Kisii, Nyamira, Migori and Siaya from occupying the seats.

And it may be a tall order in the future with the exit on Raila in the national politics for most of the women MPs and aspiring to reclaim and acquire the seats.

Ruto sets his eyes in Nyanza as political storm rocks his boat

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President Ruto

Faced by political uncertainty, fluidly, stormy political marriages and the emergence of Gen Zee socio-economic and political revolution, President William Ruto has been thrown back to the drawing board.

President Ruto has now to contend with harsh reality of the 2027 Presidential election which is fast turning into a nightmare.

Subsequently, President Ruto has been forced to cobble up new alliances to avoid any slip and to firmly hold on to his presidency.

And President Ruto is currently turning to his political ally turned nemesis, ODM leader Raila Amolo Odinga and the Luo community to survive the stormy political moment.

President Ruto will be counting on the 2007 Arap Mibey mantra that broke the age long political shackles between the Janam ( Luo) and Onjelo Jagot (Kalenjin).

Subsequently, the mantra erased political suspicion and disconnect between the two leading Nilotic communities, who have for eons enjoyed better economic interactions but have remained cagey, coy and distance in political matters.

And the mantra saw Orange Democratic Movement Presidential candidate Raila Odinga  for the first in history, received overwhelming support from the Kalenjin community and was fondly referred to as Arap Mibey.

The charm is already working after in a more symbolic gesture in Homa Bay county, the political bedroom of Raila, President Ruto was gifted with one of the lake’s biggest Nile Perch catches. 

This signified his catch of Raila into his political basket as the bromance between the two leaders have unsettled some political quarters within and without the Kenya Kwanza government.

Finally, President Ruto had his dream and wish actualized as he also raided ODM top leadership and top allies into his fold.

In Raila and ODM, the protracted Gen Zee demonstrations that had threatened President Ruto’s regime and put him on the edge consequently forced him to reorganize his government have thawed .

With the lull, the President has lately re-embarked on his development tours of the country and international flights.

Apart from Raila, President Ruto also had a catch in ODM national chairman John Mbadi who is currently the Treasury Cabinet Secretary, Azimio Minority parliamentary leader Opiyo Wandayi, currently Energy Minister, the party Deputy Leaders Wycliff Oparanya and Hassan Joho all now in the cabinet.

Mbadi when he spoke during his recent home coming prayer in Suba South said  It was time the community interrogated history of alliances and events to make wise political decision 

“We have supported the people from Central and even after 2017 elections we got into handshake with a promise of leading us to presidency in 2022. This did not happen. We must now look out and know our genuine friends,” he said.

Mbadi said President Ruto stood with Raila in 2007 general elections and currently have awarded the community with prime posts even after they didn’t vote for him.

Wandayi said the decision  to join the cabinet was the best and was in the interest  of the community and the nation at large that was staring at imminent crumble.

“I was more than convinced from the first day that I have made the right decision. The purpose for which any political party exists is to capture state power, consolidate it, and use it for the benefit of the people. That is what we have been pursuing all along as ODM, and that is why the decision we have taken is in sync with the singular objective of any political party,” he said. 

The CS said that they responded positively to the call extended to them, adding that leading the nation was something their party eyed but did not get.

“We have joined you because you have given us a chance to join you in the governance of the nation that we would have wanted to govern, but we never got a chance to do so, and we must thank you, Mr. President,” Wandayi said.

Siaya senator Dr Oburu Odinga was categorical on working with President Ruto and why ODM opted to cooperate with president.

“Mr. President, we welcome you to Siaya. We would like to thank you for the cabinet appointments, You took our top cream. We will work with you together. Raila my brother has sent to welcome you,” he said.

President Ruto welcomed the warm reception he received from the region and  left tray full of goodies and promises to the lake region.

He promised to campaign for Raila for  AU seat and was looking forward to a more symbiotic working relationship with the community .

But Ruto’s forage and charm on the lake did not start recently but immediately after winning 2022 presidential elections.

 Despite failing to garner huge votes in Nyanza, Dr Ruto has been on charm and a reconciliatory path to woo the community into his political fold.

In his first seduction move, he bestowed in the community the powerful seat of Permanent Secretary of Internal Security to Dr Raymond Omolo and appointed Mr. Eliud Owalo to a cabinet post, However, was sacked in the recent government reorganization. 

Similarly, CS  Eliud Owalo has been on the offensive by initiating various programs such as food donations to the flood and hunger stricken members of the community

Owalo has also embarked on supporting sports through financial aid to Gor Mahia football club the heart-beat of the community.

President Ruto has launched various projects in the region including  affordable housing program in Homa bay town of Homa Bay count

But it remains to be seen if whether the change of heart by a section of the community will birth a new political vehicle or  may be frought.

By Anderson Ojwang

Ruto breaks the 60 years-old jinx to hand Nyanza three top coveted State jobs

By
lom robb
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President ruto

SIX decades after Kenya attained independence, the Luo community, one of the major players in the struggle finally broke a jinx to occupy the three coveted state jobs in the country.

It’s been presumed by a section of the community, that the three plum and sensitive seats  were reserved for some communities and a no get zone for the Lake region.

The three top and sensitive positions have remained a mirage and elusive to the community despite  the competence and qualification by residents from the lake side.

The three offices namely : the Commander of Defense Forces (CDF), the Attorney General and Cabinet secretary for Treasury have never been occupied by any community member for the last 60 years. 

But President William Ruto broke the six decade jinx that had prevented the Luo community from assuming the top seats and relegated them to watchers in the power and economic matrix in the country.

The Kenya’s unsung military hero  retired Major General Daniel Ishmael Opande could have been the first member of the community to land the post but as fate would have it, Opande was seconded to peace mission and the dream was never actualized.

Former Nyakach MP Pollyns Ochieng Daima said the ascension of the community sons and daughter to the top seats was a milestone and opens the community to occupying the only remaining post of presidency.

“President Ruto has removed all the road blocks that denied the community daughters and sons from occupying the three-aorta of the government. Finally, the jinx has been broken and nothing stops any son and daughter of the community from ascending to presidency,’ he said.

But the appointment of the former CDF the late Francis Ogola was not without share of drama and intrigues that nearly denied him the seat.

Prior to his appointment, President Ruto said he had been prevailed upon against appointing Ogola as a CDF for allegedly being part of the team that had gone to Bomas of Kenya to overturn his victory.

“ I had 10 people who qualified for the post. But I acted consciously  that since independence  nobody from Nyanza  had been CDF. Why make a whole community  think they cannot occupy certain positions and offices in the government? I took a sensitive and deliberate  approach  to the appointments,” he said.

President Ruto said he was proud to have appointed Ogola to the seat and was happy to have broken the jinx and barriers in the community path.

Similarly, President Ruto appointed ODM national chairman John Mbadi to the post of Cabinet Secretary of Treasury against opposition from some quarters.

Sources intimated to Western Insight Newspaper that President Ruto stood his gun that  he had preserved the Treasury’s seat for Nyanza.

In the recent government re-organization, Nyanza finally bagged the post of Attorney General office through Dorcas Oduor.

Consultant Dr Otieno Obondi said the  coveted state seats have remained a mirage and a pipe dream to the community for over 60 years.

 Presidential Ruto’s appointments have erased decades of belief by the community over alleged discrimination and marginalization by the subsequent governments.

“This is a positive node in the right direction. Luo can now feel part of the government and country . No position is reserved for any particular community and this is the best way to heal the nation,” he said.

By Hope Barbra

Referral Hospitals to Receive Crucial Donation for Premature Babies

By
lom robb
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0

Major Referral hospitals in Western Kenya are set to benefit from a donation by an International Health Organization.

The referral hospitals in Kisumu, Homabay, Kisii, and Kakamega counties will receive a critical boost in their neonatal care capacity.

The generous donation from the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), consists of approximately 30,000 dosages of caffeine citrate, a medication essential for managing Apnea of Prematurity (AOP) in premature infants.

The donation comes hot in the heels after a five-day Comprehensive Newborn Care Training program attended by healthcare workers from the beneficiary hospitals.

 AOP is a condition where premature babies experience brief pauses in breathing. Caffeine citrate has emerged as a safe and effective treatment, improving breathing in these fragile infants and reducing their risk of developing chronic lung diseases.

Making Essential Treatment Affordable

The Kisumu County Medical Services, Public Health and Sanitation Chief Officer Dr.Ojwang  Lusi said there was a critical need by the facilities to have an  affordable access to caffeine citrate. 

Previously, a single dose cost approximately Ksh 2,000, placing a significant financial burden on county governments and limiting its use. 

“The opportunity to provide this vital medication will significantly enhance our ability to care for premature babies,” said Mr. Nicholas Pule, Kisumu County’s Child Health Coordinator, 

He said the cost of caffeine has been reduced by 70%, and this will go a long way in enhancing health care in the region.

 Ms. Betty Wariari, Associate Director at CHAI said the support will now translate to a cost of Sh 300 per a dose thus making it a much more accessible treatment option.

The “high cost of caffeine often meant limited availability, especially for babies born very early. This intervention by CHAI, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Kenya Medical Supplies Agency, (KEMPSA) is a crucial step towards ensuring a consistent supply and improved survival rates for neonates,” she said.

She said globally, poor quality of care was responsible for 61% of newborn deaths.

“A steady supply of essential medications like caffeine is vital for strengthening our healthcare system and giving these vulnerable babies a fighting chance “she said

Story by Correspondent

Photos Courtesy Governor Press Kisumu

Residents of Western Kenya to benefit from specialized care at affordable rate at JOOTRH

By
lom robb
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0
Residents of Western Kenya to benefit from specialized care at affordable rate at JOOTRH

In a bid to reduce the high cost of specialized treatment in Western Kenya, The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) recently officially unveiled its highly anticipated Prime Care Center (PCC).

The facility is viewed as offering opportunity to the residents to access the high specialized treatment at affordable rate and instead of exorbitant charges by the private hospitals in the region.

Some of the services you to expect at JOOTRH Prime Care Center include :

• Expert Medical Professionals: The same highly trained doctors and nurses you know from JOOTRH will be providing care at the Prime Care Center.

• Advanced Technology: The facility is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to ensure you receive the most accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.

• Affordable Rates: You’ll receive the same high-quality care you’d expect from a private hospital, but at a price that won’t break the bank.

Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang Nyongo presided over the ceremony presided where he commended the management for  recent improvements made at JOOTRH and pledged his government’s commitment to elevate the hospital’s status to a parastatal. 

“This is your hospital you should make use of it. “Whether you are a civil servant, a business owner, or simply seeking specialized care, the PCC is designed to meet your needs.” he said.

The Governor acknowledged the historical challenges faced by Kisumu residents, particularly civil servants, in accessing specialized healthcare within their insurance limits. 

“Private hospitals often quickly exhaust these limits, leaving patients with difficult choices. Our Prime Care Center will directly address this issue by providing the same high-quality, specialized services at a more affordable rate,” he said

.

Previously, JOOTRH, the only level-five hospital in the region, lacked a dedicated amenity wing. The Prime Care Center fills this critical gap.

“JOOTRH must play in its league, alongside KUTTRH and MTRH, because of the specialized services it offers,” said Dr. Mathew Owili, the Deputy Governor.

 Dr. Owili said JOOTRH’s qualified to be  parastatal status, citing its quality, affordability, and role as a teaching and referral hospital.

Dr. Greggory Ganda, the County Executive Committee Member for Medical Services, Public Health, and Sanitation, announced plans to establish a primary care facility in Kondele, allowing JOOTRH to focus on specialized services.

Governor Nyong’o expressed his appreciation for the 40-bed capacity, calling it “a great start.” He encouraged potential investors to partner with JOOTRH to expand the facility’s reach, emphasizing the greater impact on the community with more beds available.

Story by Correspondent

Photos Courtesy Governor Press Kisumu

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