Battle for supremacy pits former Nyanza MPs against incumbents

By Isaac Ongiri

Tension is brewing between Nyanza MPs and their predecessors over the running of party affairs in the region.

Fourteen MPs, whose elections in the 2007 General Election came as a shocker after defeating key allies of Prime Minister Raila Odinga, have been at loggerheads with those who previously enjoyed political privilege.

At stake is the control of party funds. ODM is expected to pocket close to 50 per cent of the total political party funds due to be released by the Government after this year’s Budget.

Several MPs from the region have also raised concern that the benefits of the Grand Coalition Government formed nearly 10 months ago is yet to trickle down to the grassroots.

"Apart from the appointment of ministers, we are yet to see serious development. There is no construction of roads," claims Gwasi MP John Mbadi.

The legislator, who is among the most vibrant MPs from the region, argues that Nyanza does not get reasonable allocations to improve residents’ lives despite being ranked as one of the poorest regions in the country.

Some MPs also feel a clique of highly connected politicians and some top civil servants from the region have hatched a plot to undermine them

An MP complained at a strategy meeting called by legislators from the region recently of frustrations by politicians he defeated in the last General Election.

Disputes

"Someone in the party has been instructed to finish some of us," says one MP.

Speaking to The Standard on Saturday, Nyakach MP Pollynce Ochieng’ said some politicians are out to undermine new MPs.

The infighting climaxed ahead of the ODM National Delegates Conference (NDC) at Bomas last month, where parallel delegates lists were drawn in several constituencies.

Rangwe MP Otieno Ogindo was in shock after a list of delegates he presented was rejected. He only managed to attend the NDC courtesy of the rule that all MPs are delegates.

Ogindo accused ODM election board chairman Philip Okundi of undermining him.

Okundi, former Rangwe MP, benefited from a key appointment in the Grand Coalition Government. He was appointed chairman of the Communications Commission of Kenya.

Nyakach, Rongo, Kasipul Kabondo, Karachuonyo, Rangwe, Gwasi and Uriri were among the constituencies where disputed party polls were held.

But former Nyakach MP Peter Odoyo says MPs only have themselves to blame.

"There is disillusionment by the people of Nyanza who had high expectations but have got nothing from the MPs," says Odoyo.

He says Nyanza leaders have kept the region dormant. "Most of these MPs are yet to make their maiden speech in Parliament."

MPs who gathered in Nairobi recently sent Assistant Minister Oburu Odinga to convey to the PM their displeasure.

"We sent Oburu to inform the PM about this mess. We want to work for our people and we do not want anyone to undermine us," said an MP.

The MPs want to control party affairs in constituencies, arguing their rivals want to use party funds to destabilise them.

In Karachuonyo constituency, area MP James Rege is fighting for party supremacy against Mr Jack Agutu, who was elected the branch chairman.

"It is not true that we are fighting these MPs. But it is also true that our people have learnt that there is nothing happening," says Agutu.

Intervention

In Rongo, Public Service Minister Dalmas Otieno is said to be at war with former Sports Minister Ochillo Ayacko.

Sources claim it was only after the party leadership intervened that the minister’s delegates travelled to Nairobi for the party NDC.

"They feed the party with false information, which the secretariat agreed to listen to. Some constituencies were forced to share the 20 delegates slots on 50-50 basis. In some cases, all the delegates allied to MPs were dropped and replaced with those from their opponents," claims Otieno.

 

 

 

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