By Anderson Ojwang
This is the day, the day that marks a new political dawn. The reincarnation of the spirit of the late Raila Amolo Odinga in his last Secretary General, Edwin Sifuna.
Today, Kisumu Governor and founding ODM Secretary General Prof Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o will be calmly watching as his prophecy on Sifuna, “built for the future,” unwraps in Bungoma. Vindicated and a test of time.
Raila’s confidant and a member of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga family, Siaya Governor James Orengo, will be presiding over the actualisation of the dream and steering Raila’s rebel wing to a new path and greater political heights.
And finally, the great Luhya prophecy by the spiritual leader Elijah Masinde of Dini Ya Msambwa – that the community’s leadership will come from Lake Victoria – and indeed, the making of Edwin Sifuna is from the lake.
Actually, the Luhya political journeys are closely tied to the Luo community, and that is why Jaramogi’s Ford Kenya Simba still roars in Bungoma.
Trans Nzoia
On Saturday, the spirits of the Luhya leaders – the late George Kapten, former Vice President the late Wamalwa Kijana, and the doyen of the opposition Masinde Muliro, comrades of Bob James Aggrey Orengo – descended as the Siaya Governor led the lamb to a new beginning.
Before the arrival of Orengo and Sifuna in Trans Nzoia, the local ODM branch leadership sang the Luhya traditional mourning song, “Luwere,” in memory of Raila.
As they sang and mourned, they burnt the ODM merchandise to mark the end of the party in the region and a move to Linda Mwananchi.
And when the convoy snaked its way through Trans Nzoia sub-counties into Kitale town, the crowd burst into tears of joy as they witnessed the heavy pregnancy of their child about to be born.
In the hold were Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, and his Kisii counterpart Richard Onyonka.
Orengo stoked the emotions when he said the ODM leadership of Siaya Senator Dr Oburu Oginga and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga had sold the party to President William Ruto.
“These people have betrayed the ideals and the legacy of Raila Amolo Odinga. They have sold our party to William Ruto. This is a sad day for us as the founder members of the party,” he said.
And when Sifuna rose to speak, the crowd went wild and cheered, “Sisi ndio Sifuna,” but soon the excitement was replaced by tears and sadness when the immediate former Secretary General narrated his pain and ordeal at the hands of Oburu.
Sifuna said there were certain things Raila had given to him in his accord, and he was ready to surrender them to ODM leadership.
“There are things Baba, Raila gave me himself in his wisdom, but people have decided to take them all,” he said.
He said God and the people will reward him even if the ODM leadership chooses to take everything Raila had bequeathed to him.
“Everything that they will take that I was given by Baba and the people, the people will give it back to me. I believe that is the truth,” he said.
Sifuna declares
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale said the Luhya community has resolved that their leader is Edwin Sifuna.
“We have decided as the Luhya community that our leader is Edwin Sifuna,” he said.
Sifuna, in an emotional speech, thanked Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya for sacrificing his presidential ambition to support his bid.
“I want to say from the bottom of my heart and before the public, it is an honour that you have sacrificed your presidential ambition for mine. I am humbled.”
Natembeya said Kenya deserves good leadership and that they have rallied behind Sifuna for the presidency.
Omanyo writes to Sifuna
Acting ODM Secretary General Catherine Omanyo recently wrote to Sifuna to return the party’s vehicle and any other party equipment he might have in his possession.
Sifuna dispatched the vehicle to the ODM office through his driver, who handed over the vehicle to the party.
That was the final umbilical cord that tied Linda Mwananchi and Sifuna to the party.
Babu declares
Babu moved the crowd when he announced that Sifuna, Orengo, and himself would be at the negotiating table with opposition leaders Kalonzo Musyoka, Rigathi Gachagua, and Dr Fred Matiang’i to choose a single presidential candidate.
The graveside visit that changed the game
Ahead of the recent Kisumu rally, Orengo led the team to pay homage at the graveside of Raila to reconnect with the spirit.
Indeed, the visit has transformed Linda Mwananchi into a movement, while the Oburu-led Linda Ground is suffocating into oblivion.
The homage
Six months after his burial, Raila’s militant wing of ODM paid homage at his graveside to draw inspiration for their new political dispensation.
After a successful rally in Vihiga County, Linda Mwananchi was at Kango Ka Jaramogi, Bondo. The home was thrown into a somber mood as the leaders and the residents broke down into tears.
Fresh and sad memories were evoked, and the reality of Raila’s absence became very prominent.
The teary and emotional moment saw some of the Linda Mwananchi brigades break down while others looked sad and disoriented by the reality of coming back to the graveside of Raila.
The historic move by Linda Mwananchi caught their opponents, Linda Ground, napping and could be a turning point in their power struggle.
Linda Ground is yet to pay homage to Raila’s graveside, and the move by their opponents caught them napping and left them punctured.
Linda Mwananchi is seen as Raila’s militant wing in the broad-based arrangement and his exit strategy from the broad-based arrangement with President William Ruto.
Sifuna said then it was the first time in six months after Raila’s burial that he had made a return to Kango Ka Jaramogi to reconnect with his mentor.
“It is my first time coming back here since we buried my boss six months ago. It has been a difficult six months for all of us. I do not know what to say. I honestly miss my boss,” he said.
Linda Mwananchi was received by Councillor Omondi Odinga, who took them to the graveside and later to the mausoleum.
Orengo said they paid homage to Raila to reconnect and for spiritual inspiration.
“Today, I led the Linda Mwananchi Movement to Kang’o Ka Jaramogi to honour the giants who paved the way. I returned to the roots of the struggle to pay homage to my mentor, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, and my comrade, Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga,” he said.
Orengo said the visit was meant to seek blessings from Raila and the doyen of opposition politics, the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.
“Before we take the stage, we seek the blessings of our elders and the spirit of the revolution. The foundation is solid. The mission is clear. Kisumu, we are ready. See you tomorrow!” he wrote on his social media platforms.
Reincarnate
At Posta Ground in Bungoma, Raila will reincarnate in his last Secretary General, Edwin Sifuna. The movement will take a new dimension. It will be “Sisi Ndio Sifuna,” and Raila’s sacrifice for the people will be reborn in Linda Mwananchi.
