Jubilee bets on projects, goodies to win over CORD supporters

Opposition strongholds are reaping big from government projects as President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto reach out to pro-CORD regions.

Gone are the days when the President kept on postponing trips to Western and Nyanza, CORD leader Raila Odinga’s political bedrock.

The President and his Deputy avoided the region last year but frequently visited neighbouring Gusii land, which is seen more receptive to the Jubilee administration.

But lately, the President is determined to stamp his influence by ensuring development projects in these areas get adequate resources to end persistent claims by Opposition that the Jubilee administration has marginalised them.

When the President visited Migori last year, youths disrupted his rally. However, in Kisumu he was warmly received when he attended the second annual devolution conference in April.

The President and his Deputy were in Kisumu and Bondo last week to mark the 25th anniversary for the Catholic Church and for a fund raising meeting, respectively. And the two leaders promised more trips to the region with one message: Let us unite for development.

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Financial crisis

To demonstrate their development intentions, Uhuru last year bailed out Sony, Muhoroni and Chemelil sugar companies with Sh1.1 billion. The companies have been toiling under heavy financial burdens.

Kisumu Central MP Ken Obura says Kenyans should unite for the sake of development, and that the mandate they have now as elected leaders is to develop the country.

“As leaders, we should reduce political temperatures and engage in growing the economy,” says Obura.

Former Rarieda MP Raphael Tuju who attended Ruto’s function in Bondo asked the Luo community to exercise humility, saying co-existence was key to growth.

Political maturity

“Political protagonists attending functions in each others’ strongholds is the best political development that can ever happen. It promotes transparency, fair competition, national cohesion and eliminates the siege syndrome where one community feels besieged by others,” says Odoyo Owidi,the chairman Luo Dialogue Initiative.

Bondo MP Gideon Ochanda, who hosted the leaders, called on the government to initiate projects irrespective of who voted or didn’t vote for them.

“We should look at the value of our tax and not the value of our vote since we are all Kenyans whether we voted or didn’t vote for this government,” says Ochanda.

But Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga, who skipped Ruto’s function, and nominated MP Oburu Oginga, asked the Jubilee leaders to stop using harambees to hoodwink people in the region.

Oburu has persistently claimed Jubilee is using money to bribe leaders from opposition zones.

In Bondo, Ruto helped raise Sh5 million, including Sh2 million from Kenyatta for the Anglican Church of Kenya. He announced that the government had allocated funds for renovation and purchase of medical equipment for Siaya County Referral Hospital and Bondo sub-county hospital. Siaya Technical institute will also be expanded.

“We will construct two new technical institutes in Ugunja and Ugenya this year at Sh100 million each,” said Ruto. Ruto said the government will tarmac 150 kilometres of road in Siaya County. At the fundraiser, Ruto said he was still friends with Raila and will call upon him to support him in 2022.

At Uzima University, where the Catholic Church ceremony was held, Kenyatta shared a podium with Raila and both agreed to work together for development.

Opinion is divided on whether by playing the development card, the Jubilee leaders will win over regions that overwhelmingly voted for Raila in three successive elections.

The President and his deputy have also targeted Luhya land which also overwhelmingly supported Raila and CORD in the last presidential elections.

Last week, the two leaders visited Mumias Sugar Company in Kakamega County, another Raila’s political stronghold and gave Sh1 billion and promised more to revive the ailing sugar miller.

Their trip to Mumias was preceded by a visit to State House by local political leaders, majority who belong to the Opposition.

Prof Kioko Ireri, a researcher and  a communications lecturer at the United States International University, says Jubilee’s visits to Raila strongholds might not yield much.

“Voters in the two regions have demonstrated over the years that they don’t normally vote the way government wants them to do. Luos have always voted for Raila and Luhyas have voted two former vice presidents Musalia Mudavadi and Moddy Awori out. Musalia had been appointed a few months to elections,” Ireri says.

He adds: “Leaders should promote growth equally regardless of political affiliation.”

However, Dr Edward Kisiang’ani, who teaches history and political studies at Kenyatta University, says Raila should be worried.

dire consequences

“The entry of Jubilee into Raila’s constituency could have dire consequences against him. He has stuck with old people who don’t add value to his campaign. Young MPs and youths are rebelling. That is why they are voting for people of their choice, not imposed on them by Raila or the party,” Kisiang’ani says.

He adds: “Raila should listen to the perceived rebels and warn the likes of his brother Oburu, Jakoyo Midiwo, John Mbadi and Anyang’ Nyong’o to stop attacking Luhya leaders. Luhyas have the much-needed numbers. If they shift, he should forget the presidency. And they have begun by warming up to Jubilee.”