Who’ll fly ODM’s flag in Homa Bay?

 Copy Daily Nation

This they are doing by either reaching out directly to the former Prime Minister or through

Intense lobbying is going on within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) cycles after the party announced it would use direct nomination in arriving at who will fly its flag in the upcoming Homa Bay senatorial by-election on February 12 after the party’s nominations were disrupted last Monday.

So intense is the process ahead of a crucial Monday meeting that each of the aspirants hoping to be selected is scrambling for the attention of party leader Raila Odinga, who is thought to have a big say in the process that will also involve the ODM National Elections Board.

This they are doing by either reaching out directly to the former Prime Minister or through people close to him.

Mr Philip Okundi, Mr Caroli Omondi, Mr Silas Jakakimba, Mr Fred Rabongo, Dr Kenneth Kambona, Mr George Mboya and Mr Moses Kajwang’ have declared their interest in the ODM seat.

And, as the lobbying continues, the Sunday Nation has learnt that some aspirants have also asked Mr Odinga to rein in his elder brother, Oburu Oginga, to stop what they call “interference” in the process of replacing the late Otieno Kajwang’.

REGIONAL BALANCE
With the ODM top brass meeting on Monday to review the process of picking the flagbearer, it is also emerging that the party could have narrowed down on three potential candidates after some aspirants told Mr Odinga at a joint meeting that Mr Okundi’s name should be struck out.

They pointed to an agreement reached before last year’s General Election that allocated the senate seat to Suba/Mbita regions, the governor to Rachuonyo and the Women’s Representative to Rangwe/Homa Bay town. Mr Okundi comes from Rangwe.

Mr Rabongo, who comes from Mbita, said the process must guarantee regional balance.

“The seat belongs to us. All aspirants from Suba/Mbita have agreed that nobody from outside will run away with our seat and the Suba council of elders has said as much,” he said.

Mr Caroli Omondi, a former aide of Mr Odinga, said the pact still holds.

“We still have a governor and a women’s representative in office from other regions as was agreed. The only thing that has changed is that we lost a senator,” he said.

GAUGE BASED ON MERIT
Only Mr Jakakimba has a differing opinion on the pact. “I have heard about the informal Memorandum of Understanding being referred to and suggestions that the seat should go back to Suba region.

It’s not my domain to comment about what would happen if a non-Suba lands the ticket, but what I firmly believe in is that all candidates must be gauged based on merit and their individual policy platforms.”

Mr Omondi asked the party to use the National Elections Board together with the National Executive Committee to carry out the nomination.

“Because this would be a team of relatively many people, it would certainly be objective. And, in doing this, they need to consider merit, intellectual material and an earlier interview all aspirants were subjected to.

It will also be fair to look at the financial support all of us have given to the party for the last one decade,” he said.

He denied suggestions that he would kick ODM out of Orange House in Nairobi, which he owns, if he is not selected. 

“I have supported the party since inception. In fact, I took the minutes the day it was formed and so my support will continue,” he said.

DIRECT NOMINATION WELCOMED
The Sunday Nation learnt that one of the candidates initially thought to be the front runner has been relegated to the periphery after allegations emerged that he ferried goons that disrupted nominations last Monday.

According to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission timetable, political parties have up to December 27 to conduct primaries.

This was after the High Court added 10 more days following a suit by ODM challenging the initial timeframe as being too tight to carry out credible nominations.

Candidates will then present their nomination papers between January 15 and16, setting the stage for the official campaigns between January 17 and February 10.

Most of the candidates who spoke to the Sunday Nation have welcomed the party’s decision to pick a candidate through a direct nomination.

They said they were aware the party was strained financially to conduct another poll barely a few days after the last primaries aborted.

WEED OUT INTERFERENCE
To further give credence to the issue of interference from some party honchos, Mr Omondi said: “We must also come out and get rid of interference by some politicians, especially from Siaya, who have a vested interest in the outcome of the selection process.”

Mr Jakakimba said the change movement being championed by Cord required a visionary leader who will not only articulate issues at the level of the county but also nationally.

Dr Kambona, another aspirant, denied claims that he had withdrawn from the race.

“I am still in the race for the ODM ticket. I have not stepped down for anybody, therefore I urge my supporters to keep up the fight until the matter is decided tomorrow,” he said in a statement sent to the Sunday Nation.

As the battle shapes up, proposals in support of Mr Moses Kajwang’, a brother of the late senator, have also been fronted.

JAKAKIMBA: Caroli has not BOUGHT me, I can NEVER be BOUGHT

Homa Bay senate aspirants intensify internal lobbying ahead of ODM Elections board decision
Reports that Homa Bay senate candidate Silas Jakakimba has been bought off by Caroli Omondi are farfetched and untrue, his campaign manager Tyrone Omole has revealed.
“He is in the race till the end. We are awaiting the decision of NEC. . .and why would anyone want to buy him? He is not in charge of NEC or even the elections board. His supporters may not even vote for the candidate purported to have bought him. Consider such reports as hearsay,” said Omole.
This is the last weekend for residents of Homa Bay ahead of the party’s decision to select one candidate among the seven aspirants for the by election slated for February.
There are reports of realignments with allegations that some candidates have opted out of the race and are now supporting others. Homa Bay Daily has learnt the ODM Elections Board will present three names to the party’s National Executive Council, NEC, to select one person to be the party’s flag bearer.

The beneficiaries of the political winds sweeping the county seem to be Eng. Okundi, Caroli Omondi and Silas Jakakimba.
This came even as revelations emerged that the ODM Elections board has struck out Moses Kajwang’ from contesting following the chaos which rocked the party nomination exercise and which is being credited to his Brother TJ Kajwang’s bank accounts. However, we were unable to confirm this as calls to the ODM Director of Communications Mr. Phillip Etale went unanswered.
Also out of the race is Fred Rabongo, whom sources reveal has opted out following nightlong meetings with top ODM officials. However, Rabongo may have opted following revelations of a battery charges on a Mombasa woman.
Oscar Kambona and George Mboya are still in the race, but their fates are not known, as the party is very unlikely to pick any of them which will automatically lead to a thrashing defeat by the moneyed Hillary Alila who is vying as independent.
Elsewhere delegates who were allied to Engineer Okundi have urged the NEB to consider any other candidate but not Caroli and Kajwang , they blamed the two for pushing the idea of Clan MoU that led to NEB to sidelining Okundi.
For Caroli, matters were made difficult as Suba Elders endorsed Silas Jakakimba who has also received the party’s endorsement from Ndhiwa sub branch after Alila who hails from Ndhiwa pulled out. Jakakimba’s chief campaign manager dismissed rumours that his candidate had stepped down for Caroli, saying such reports show the kind of desperation in their competitor’s camp.
“We are not even competing against Caroli. Our major challenge is on another candidate. Let’s not even talk about Caroli here,” said Tyrone Omole, the man in charge of Jakakimba’s campaigns.
Within NEC, the newly endorsed party honchos will face their hardest task in choosing one candidate. Several NEC members are young and formed part of the Team Fresh whom the late Kajwang’ viciously opposed. It remains to be seen if they will endorse Moses whose only selling point is that he should finish the term of his brother, much to the chagrin of Homa Bay voters who maintain the position wasn’t hereditary.

HOMA BAY COUNTY "DELIGATES" TO NOMINATE SENATE CANDIDATE

By Mackiche Mackiche

 
With reports that ODM has settled on the county delegates to nominate their candidate, the race has now been reduced to the groundsmen vs the moneyed.
For the moneyed, three billionaires are in the race, namely, Fred Rabongo, Phillip Okundi and Caroli Omondi.
The groundsmen are Silas Jakakimba, a former aide to Raila Odinga; and, Moses Kajwang’, brother to the late Otieno Kajwang’. For Moses, who has already been endorsed by the Kajwang’ family, the race pits him with an equally youthful candidate Silas Jakakimba, both from Mbita.
However, it is believed that Moses may end up at Orange House as an ICT director, because of his IT background.
During the last IEBC election, Moses defended his profession, claiming the IEBC had set the system to fail and that the devices used could not have given out data that was not keyed in by IEBC officials.
Caroli, Okundi and Rabongo are said to have sighed with relief when it was announced delegates would determine the eventual candidate for ODM to face off with any other person in the race.

ABABU ALERTS HOMABAY SENATORIAL SEAT ASPIRANTS

It has come to the attention of the ODM that there is a group of unscrupulous people duping some aspirants for the vacant Homabay Senatorial seat that they can assist them get the nomination certificate for the seat in the February 2nd by-election.
These people are currently soliciting money from the aspirants with false promises that they will channel the same to the National Secretariat.
The ODM wishes to take great exception with these imposters whose aim is to get quick money from the politicians aspiring to run on the ODM ticket in the by-election.
The ODM would like to make it clear that the official pay-point for any nomination fee as will be stated by the National Elections Board is the Finance Department at Orange House, the party headquarters of which an official receipt will be issued.
I advise those aspiring to run for the seat on our party ticket not to pay money to any individual or group of persons purportedly to support any party meeting or aid the by-election process that is not authorized by the National Secretariat and the National Elections Board.
Aspirants for the seat should report such person(s) to the national secretariat and police for action if approached to give any amount of money by such people.
Thanks.
Hon. Ababu Namwamba – EGH, MP
Secretary General
ODM
9/12/14

Raila WILL NOT contest Homa Bay county Senatorship

Prime Minister Raila Odinga WILL NOT contest the Homa Bay senator seat, it turns out Raila was only being polite to the elders, local elected leaders and local party officials. A European based public affairs consultant who has consulted for Raila previously confirmed to this writer that Raila will instead use the opportunity offered to give the residents of Homa Bay county direction who among the top contenders should be elected.
The top contenders for the seat are top Raila aide Silas Jakakimba, Hillary Alila, Fred Rabongo and Engineer Okundi.
”Basically what the people of Homa Bay are saying is that they want Raila to indicate who is best suited to serve the Orange party and candidate Raila best, they simply want to give him the person he trusts just like he trusted hon Kajwang’. This is take a sweep at the monied Jubilee allied politicians (Kalausi) who have been trying to make in roads in South Nyanza” noted the consultant.
It is argued that in developed democracies sitting heads of government have gone back to perform legislative functions in parliament, an example is given of United Kingdom (Gordon Brown), Australia (Julia Gillard, Kevin Ruud), Israel (Arial Sharon, Ehud Barak, Benjamin Netanyahu), in USA (John McCain) Netherlands (Wim Kok, Luud Rubbers) Germany (Hemut Kohl, Gerhard Scholder) among others
Others have argued that those MPs pushing for Raila are just using him for their own ends, because they would want to run for Senator in 2017 and fear the incoming may overshadow their rise in the party.

They only want Raila as the Senator because as the next president, he is unlikely to defend the Homa Bay seat. That way no-one of their playmates or match emerges in my motherland county at this time.
That way they can all start at the same spot together (pari passu). That’s why Kaluma, Mbadi et al want to put HB in a “refrigerator”, to prevent a young energetic leader like Silas Chepkeres Jakakimba or Moses Kajwang from emerging.
They may be driven by jealousy, rather than love for their Baba.

BREAKING: CORD leader Raila Odinga SIGNALS interest for the HOMA BAY senate seat !

Prime Minister Raila Odinga gives elders three days to decide whether he will contest the upcoming Senatorial by election in Homa Bay County. The meeting held at Opoda farm, Raila rural home was attended by amongst others Homa bay Governor Cyprian Awiti, ODM chairman John Mbadi, Homa Bay women rep Gladys Wanga among other ODM MPs
Hon Mbadi said the last communication whether raila will vie to be communicated on Thursday next week. The decision meeting to be held in homa bay town to be attended by elders and the branch ODM party officials. Raila is set to attend the meeting.
CORD supporters have however INSISTED that Raila was above the senate and should focus on the 2017 presidetial campaign than senatorial duties. As the official CORD leader PM Odinga is much more powerful than Homabay senatorship.
Its not clear if Raila if once he joins the senate he dislodge senate Minority leader Moses Wetangula or he will just be a mere senator. It is highly UNLIKELY that Moses Wetangula will step aside for Odinga. Wetangula and Muthama have excelled as Minority and deputy minority leaders respectively.
Homa Bay county electorate have already indicated that they have willing and able sons and daughters to take over the seat left vacant by the death of senator Otieno Kajwang’.

Among the current front runners is Raila’s top aide Silas Jakakimba who has already been endorsed by the Suba elders and other local leaders, Hilary Alila and businessman Fred Rabongo.
More to follow>>>>
-KENYA TODAY

Suba Elders ENDORSE Raila aide Silas Jakakimba ahead of official campaign launch

It is a big boost for Homa Bay senate aspirant Silas Jakakimba as Suba Elders endorsed his candidature, dealing a fatal blow to former chief of staff in the prime minister’s office Caroli Omondi among others.
Jakakimba who is set to officially launch his campaigns in Homa Bay town mid this week is also believed to have received the backing of Homa Bay Governor Cyprian Awiti as well as several ODM MPs and county assembly members from across Homa Bay County.
The Homa Bay senate seat has attracted the moneyed of Homa Bay county, with billionaires Hillary Alila and Caroli Omondi throwing their hats in the ring.
However, both Alila and Omondi are fighting off allegations of spoilers, as they are known Jubilee Alliance moles. Omondi is said to be a special advisor of President Uhuru while Alila is a long time business associate of former President Daniel Moi.
Legend has it that Alila is among the many affluent Kenyans whose names were used by Moi to hide his massive wealth, which explains the man’s source of vast resources.
The other candidates in the race are former NSSF Managing trustee and Nairobi businessman Fred Rabongo, former Rangwe MP Philip Okundi and diaspora based lawyer George Omburo.

Kajwang's brother seeks to take over as Homa Bay Senator

Otieno Kajwang's 35-year-old younger brother has declared interest in the Homa Bay County senatorial seat.

“My community has requested me to represent them to complete my late brother’s development projects,” Moses Otieno said on Wednesday,

Otieno said he is currently finalising consultations with the people of the county and that he will soon make a public announcement.

“I have been involved in political mobilization during the 1997, 2002 and 2007 elections in Mbita Constituency and the 2012 elections in Ruaraka Constituency," he said of his qualifications.

"Like the late Senator Kajwang’, I am a strong believer in education and religion and I continue to provide personal support and contributions to churches and schools across the country,” he continued.

Otieno graduated from Moi University with a degree in Information Technology, a field in which he also has a Masters degree from Makerere University in Uganda.

“I am an information technology specialist and I have worked in the financial services and supply chain industries in East Africa for the last 12 years,” he said.

He works at an insurance firm.

ODM has assured all those eyeing the seat on the party’s ticket of a free and fair nomination process.

Secretary General designate and Budalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba said the party will use the opportunity to redeem itself.

He promised fair nominations for the Kajiado Central MP seat as well following Joseph Nkaissery's nomination as Interior CS after President Uhuru Kenyatta sacked Joseph ole Lenku.

Nkaissery, whose resignation is expected, won the seat on an ODM ticket.

The other candidates vying for Homa Bay senator include Hilary Alila, who was Kajwang's main contestant in the last election, former Rangwe MP Philip Okundi, Martin Ogindo, Silas Jakakimba and Fred Rabong’o.

Some MPs from South Nyanza are however said to be rooting for Raila Odinga. They include Opondo Kaluma (Homabay Town), Edick Anyanga (Nyatike) and Ken Okoth (Kibra).

They say Raila as senator would be able to spearhead devolution.

FINALLY: Raila’s TOP aide Silas Jakakimba CONFIRMS he will contest for the Homa Bay SENATE SEAT

By Silas Jakakimba
Good Folks of and from Our Lakeside County of Homa-Bay, in a tribute directly addressed to the Senator 2 days after his sudden demise, I told Gerald that his spirit knows so well that behind, he has left an utterly devastated lot. A broken people. Unending tears. From our mothers… Our uncles; Homa-Bay constituents and admirers nationally. Brokenness, still and will abound for eons. I told Wuod Dala that his sudden recall, did scare us beyond what scripts of condolences could and can carry.
In closing, I did tell him that assuredly, even as we mourn, the spirit that informed his drive and unwavering commitment to realising a JUST society in Kenya, roars on.
Be all that as it may, on July 23rd, 2014, @8.48pm, on this medium, still on my wall, I did solemnly address The People of Homa-Bay County vide a picture post (below, on comment thread) with a statement, and I quote, “Jo Homa-Bay I’m now available for ANY responsibility. Wuod Ajoy Ny’Abala awacho kamuol kik chiela gi kite…”.
In a bid to continue with The (Reforms, Legislative, Change, Good Governance & Development) Legacies left behind by Senator Kajwang’, I do hereby present myslef to The Good Peoplsles of The Promised County of Homa-Bay for election as your next Senator. I wish to make it known that we are ready to embrace the Challenge and ensure that this par excellence Legacy left behind by Gerald, both at County and National Assignement Levels, lives.

(Photo: Jakakimba at his home with Prime Minister Raila Odinga and businessman Sammy Wakiaga among others at the burial of his father in Kakimba, Mfangano island, Mbita.)
On the same note, I wish to point out that had Gerald been here today, he’d have addressed the Nation and The Presidency on (in)security.
Folks, the most cardinal responsibility of a legitimate Government is, to PROTECT and guarantee SECURITY and SAFETY to its Peoples and their Property.
As I’ve always done before, I want to make it particularly clear to the Political Captains of the Jubilee administration that We The People have today flashed the Red Card and put them on notice. If anyone of them wallows in the dreamland of assuming that Senator Kajwang’s absence is an automatic underbelly for CORD’s and The Change Movement’s unrelenting push and clamour for a more SECURE, Equitable, Democratic and Prosperous Nation in the name of The Republic of Kenya, be you warned.
On my own behalf and on behalf of The People of Homa-Bay County, We condemn in the STRONGEST terms possible, this administration’s juvenile refocus on leadership by PR stunts as lives of Kenyans continue being lost in horror massacres including but not limited to ‪#‎Mandera1‬, last night in Wajir (36pax) and earlier this morning in Mandera where tens of lives were brutally lost.
Our National Security and Intelligence Infrastructure have never been so weak.
Separately, the past days have seen various sectoral and individual calls from Homa-Bay County on us to heed the call and take a Leap of Faith on this most important challenge of ensuring Homa-Bay’s place at the Senate in contributing to better governance and strengthening of Devolution, stands secure.
Today, as I’ve said up there, I have answered The Call by presenting myself for your electoral endorsement because, together as a People – In God, Do We Trust that Yes, We Can.
We look forward to a partnership-based, bottom-up, consultative and citizen-participatory leadership as we pull all our efforts TOGETHER, and in a homogeneous liaison with the County Government and its Leadership – to make Homa-Bay The County of Choice where all can live dignified lives.
Asante to all and we remain humbled by your support and goodwill.

‪#‎TukoTayari‬.
May God Bless Homa-Bay County and The Republic of Kenya.
‪#‎JAKAKIMBA‬.

Kidero backs harambees

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero has said the planned ban on harambees must be stopped if the country expects to develop. He said fundraisers have improved lives of many less fortunate Kenyans and funded several projects.
“Not all people are equal in life. Let those who are willing to help others do so and those who do not want should just leave,” Kidero said. He was speaking at Dudi Girls Secondary School in Kabondo Kasipul constituency, Homa Bay county, during the launch of the school’s strategic plan on Friday.
Kidero was hosted by MP Sylvance Osele, Homa Bay Governor Cyprian Awiti and was accompanied by Kitutu Chache South MP Richard Onyonka.
“As some of us are busy fighting harambees, our opponents are using it. This ban will not help our people at all,” he said. Kidero said despite the ban, he will lend a helping hand in various development projects whenever there is need.

Governor Awiti woos Mombasa investors to Homa Bay with tax, land incentives

HOMA Bay governor Cyprian Awiti has launched a charm offensive for potential investors in Mombasa to invest in his county.
Awiti offered businessmen and investors he met in Mombasa on Saturday and Sunday free land and tax holidays.
He guaranteed security for any investment and investor.
The governor said Homa Bay has opportunities in the real estate industry, tourism sector, and agriculture sectors.
“We have land for investment in both agribusiness and horticultural opportunities,” he said during a meeting with Homa Bay investors living in Mombasa county at Mombasa Beach Hotel on Sunday evening.
He was hosted by Nyali MP Hezron Awiti.
The Homa Bay governor said land in his county is lying fallow.
The governor said his county's hotel industry is still untapped despite the presence of Ruma National Park and other heritage sites.
“If you want to put up a hotel, we will partner with you and give you land and you bring your money to invest,” Awiti said.

Homa Bay staff reject promotion scheme

CIVIL servants from Homa Bay county have rejected the new promotion scheme adopted by the Public Service Commission.
The scheme requires civil servants who have acquired new qualifications to prove that they merit a higher grade.
It bases promotion on workers' productivity and experience rather than the academic qualifications.
County union executive secretary Chora Midumbi termed it a government plan to oppress civil servants.
Speaking on Monday in Homa Bay town, Midumbi said the civil servants rejected the new scheme on the grounds that it lacked a common point of reference for promoting civil servants.
“We foresee a situation where a person with a diploma is going to be made the boss of people with Master's degrees or even PhDs,” he said.
Midumbi urged Kenya Union of Civil Servants to file a court petition against the new rules.

Two homa bay MCAs deny night gun drama

TWO Homa Bay MCAs were on Monday night allegedly involved in a gun drama in Kisumu town.

The driver of Ben Ombima, a Vihiga county nominated MCA, has lodged a complaint with the police over the behaviour of Sylvance Wanjala (Kanyikela) and Julius Gaya (Central Karachuonyo).

Kennedy Omondi said Wanjala threatened him with a gun.

“I had dropped my boss home and was returning to my house in Ondiek estate when the incident happened,” he said.

Omondi said he hooted when he found a white Hummer parked on the road near his house.

“Wanjala was driving while Gaya was seated on the co-driver’s seat with other people in the back seats,” he said.

Omondi said after the car cleared the way, Wanjala alighted and rushed towards him as he waited for the gate to be opened.

“He was wielding a gun. I could not run because I thought he might shoot at me,” he said.

"I thought he was irritated by the hooting.”

Omondi said the MCAs sped off when he raised the alarm.

He said his neighbour identified the MCAs.

When contacted Wanjala, denied the allegations and threatened to seek legal redress if the story is published.

“I think you know the repercussions of defamation. Let the driver tell you exactly what happened,” he said on the phone.

Wanjala said he is licensed firearm holder but denied claims he uses it to intimidate people.

Gaya said he was not in Wanjala’s company during the incident.

“I was not with Wanjala and we could not do that. What did the driver do to be threatened with a gun?” he said.

"Wanjala is a very harmless person. I do not think he can do that. I also own a gun but cannot use it to intimidate people.”

Gaya said he spent the night at Great Lakes Hotel, which is near Ondiek estate.

Lake Victoria is world’s largest septic tank, Awiti tells the EAC

HOMABAY Governor Cyprian Awiti has urged the East African Community to clean up and preserve Lake Victoria.

He said it is sad that the lake is full of industrial waste from factories along the rivers that feed the lake.

“Lake Victoria is the second-largest fresh water lake in the world but it is now the world’s second-largest 'septic tank',” the governor said.

Awiti was speaking at Homa Bay pier yesterday, where he joined more than 400 Lake Victoria Regional Local Authorities Cooperation members in a cleanup during their 13th Annual General Meeting.

Also present were Deputy Governor Hammilton Orata and cooperation chairman Alpha Mordekai.

More than 100 local authorities and county governments in the Lake Victoria catchment area in Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya are attending the event.

Council of Governors chairman Isaac Rutto was set to give a keynote address during the grand opening yesterday, as one of 10 governors expected to attend.

The leaders will discuss the sustainable use of Lake Victoria as a source of livelihood to more than 34 million people living across East Africa and parts of Rwanda and Burundi.

Our Lake, Our Responsibility is the slogan of the event.

It started with a thorough mop-up of the beaches and markets, planting of trees, and a visit to the Homa Bay Children’s Home, where the delegates donated assorted goods.

The event is titled: Promoting Community Participation in Sustainable Utilisation of Lake Victoria Resources.