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.
