Incumbents anxious as aspirants in Nyanza oppose power-sharing agreement

Leaders in Nyanza are anxious whether the so-called negotiated democracy will prevail in the 2017 General Election.

Beneficiaries of the boardroom negotiations such as governors, senators, Women Representatives and Assembly speakers are a worried lot as opposition mounts against the process.

Candidates seeking to unseat the incumbents say deals struck in 2013 over the sharing of seats on clan or geographical considerations must be discarded and everyone given an opportunity to battle it out in the elections.

Leaders from minority tribes in the region say they will be the biggest losers should leaders do away with negotiated democracy.

Migori Senator Wilfred Machage, a beneficiary of the power sharing between Luos and Kuria, says blocking the process was against the Constitution.

“The Constitution is clear on the bill of rights with regards to representation. Kuria as a minority tribe has a right to be represented and negotiated democracy is one way of achieving that,” he said.

However, he proposed that the negotiations be between communities rather than political parties.

The senator disclosed that it was through the power sharing deal that ODM leader Raila Odinga got support of the Kuria in the 2013 elections.

In the last elections, Dr Machage easily sailed through after other aspirants like former Mathare MP Ochieng’ Mbeo were prevailed upon to step down. The senator has since kept off ODM.

The arrangement saw the Kuria get the Senate and the deputy governor seats. The Women Rep seat was left open and Denittah Gati also from Kuria won.

Mr Mbeo has vowed to contest for the senate seat, negotiations notwithstanding.

However, new political entrants have said the power sharing deal is discriminatory.

There has also been a feeling in ODM that the Kuria leaders failed to help Raila get more votes from the community.

In Homa Bay, those who benefited from negotiated democracy, are Governor Cyprian Awiti, Senator Moses Kajwang,’ and Women MP Gladys Wanga.

Under the agreement, the larger Rachuonyo comprising Karachuonyo, Kasipul and Kabondo got the governorship, Suba was given the senate, Rangwe - Women MP and Ndhiwa took the deputy governor seat. It was also agreed that Kasipul takes the Assembly Speaker’s position, that went to Ochillo Ayako.

Although Mr Awiti and Mr Kajwang who was elected in a by-election to replace his late brother Otieno Kajwang', who died last year want negotiated democracy maintained, other leaders say it should be discarded as it will infringe on rights of new entrants.

The governor said the agreement was to last for ten years and wondered why some people were opposing it.

Mr Kajwang’ argued that negotiation is the only way through which minority communities in the county can be represented effectively.

“Let me give the example of Suba region which is the minority, the region can only be represented well through negotiations to avoid numerous complaints,” he said.

The senator said negotiated democracy is in line with the new Constitution hence should be embraced.

“The Constitution envisages regional balance in representation. This negotiation is a way of enhancing constitutional requirements,” said Kajwang’.

Four candidates seeking to unseat Awiti are Kasipul MP Oyugi Magwanga, businessman Sammy Wakiaga , management consultant Enosh Bolo and Technical University of Kenya administrator, Ochieng’ Kanyadudi.

Mr Wakiaga hails from Mbita while Mr Bolo comes from Homa Bay Town constituencies respectively. Mr Kanyadudi is from Ndhiwa which was handed the deputy governorship.

Although Mr Magwanga wants the 2013 agreement to be maintained Wakiaga and Bolo are against it. “It is very clear that this county had been divided into regions. The power sharing deal is intended to enhance peace and harmony in county,” the MP said.

“I was present in the leaders’ meeting where we divided the seats according to the regions. Political leaders are representatives of the people and that is why we sat down to make a decision on behalf of the people to avoid chaos in elections,” said Magwanga.

But Wakiaga argued that an aspirant can come from any part of the county. He said the agreement was made by a few people and that did not represent the wishes of all residents.

“Those who are talking about the negotiated democracy have missed the point. That was just an agreement which was made by a few individuals and it is no longer binding,” he said.

He added: “Homa Bay residents should elect their governor based onqualities of an individual rather than a region where a candidate hails from. The agreement is divisive but we need unity in this county.”

Bolo said : “What I know is that the agreement on regional division of seat was between Awiti, Wanga and the late Kajwang’. It is not applicable anymore.”

Homa Bay Bunge la Wenye Nchi Speaker Walter Opiyo said voters should not embrace the agreement in electing the governor. “All aspirants should be given equal opportunity to sell their policies to enable residents elect the right governor,” he said.

Wakiaga and Bolo fear the negotiated democracy will complicate matters for them since their home sub counties were supposed to produce senator and Woman Representative.

“If the negotiations were to be respected, it means any one from Suba or Rangwe will not be given the gubernatorial seat. This is why they must fight to have the agreements discarded,” said Prof Paul Oketch, an educationist.

In Siaya, the negotiated democracy saw seats distributed evenly among the six constituencies within the county in 2013, with Alego-Usonga producing the governor, Ugenya/Ugunja the senator, Gem Women Representative, Bondo deputy governor and Rarieda Speaker.

But West Yimbo civic leader, Dimo Ogolla, said the negotiated democracy will not work in 2017 elections as many people have declared interest in various positions.

“Rarieda, Alego-Usonga and Bondo have candidates for the governor’s seat while Gem and Ugenya have not declared which seats they are going to vie for and this might mean they are contented with the Women Representative and senator’s seats respectively,” argued Mr Ogolla.

Nominated MCA representing the youth, Walter Okello, said the power sharing deal was a necessary approach in the 2013 scenario as devolution was a new concept and many did not understand the functions of various positions.

He further stated that devolution must work in such a way that irrespective of which sub-county the governor, senator or speaker comes from, all residents should benefit from the leadership.

Recently, nominated MP Oburu Oginga declared he will support Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga in the 2017 General Election.

Given time to deliver

Dr Oburu said the governors were elected in 2013 and they should be given time to deliver to the people.

The nominated MP’s decision now puts him on a coalition course with Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo who has also declared interest in guberntorial seat.

Last week, six MCAs from Alego who have been opposing Mr Rasanga’s leadership joined his campaign team, saying the seat belonged to the people of Alego, following 2013 power sharing agreement.

But Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo has publicly declared that he will not support the governor’s re-election bid, regardless of the 2013 deal.

“I had apologised to the people of Siaya because electing Rasanga was the worst mistake we made and we should not repeat the same,” said Mr Midiwo.

In Kisumu, Governor Jack Ranguma is playing his cards close to his chest as he banks on his populous Kano clan and development projects to retain his seat.

In the last elections, the governor’s seat went to Kano while the senate was won by Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o who hails from Seme constituency. Nyong’o is now going for governorship.

Candidates seeking to oust Mr Ranguma are businessman Dr Hezron Makombewa and Maendeleo ya wanawake Kisumu branch chairperson Atieno Otieno.

Others are Ojwang Kombudo, Owino Omollo, Francis Osenya and Barrack Obonyo, David Wayiera, James Obondi and Asaka Nyangara

“Clan politics will play a crucial role in the 2017 race and the candidate who will have the larger clan behind him will be the next governor,” said Phillip Ochieng, a political advisor to governor Ranguma.

But Dr Makombewa says clanism will not play a bigger role in determining who becomes the next Governor.

“The people in Kisumu County will decide who becomes the next governor and it will have nothing to do with particular regions or clans,” he said.

Ny’ongo is reportedly courting Nyando MP Fred Outa to be the County’s next senator.

“Democracy is a one man one vote system and Ranguma’s primary focus is serving the people of Kisumu with diligence as well as helping Raila ascend to the presidency,” said Mr Ochieng.

-Reports by Schophine Otieno, james Omoro, Harold Odhiambo and Isaiah Gwengi