By Stephen Makabila     

In 1992, the Cyrus Jirongo led Youth for Kanu (YK-92) powered Kanu to victory in the first multi-party elections.

Two decades later, Jirongo, who was the chairman of the now defunct group has launched his bid for president on a Federal Party of Kenya (FPK) ticket.

But the question remains, does Jirongo have the political energy, support, and magic he had 20 years ago to make a mark in the coming transitional presidential election? This is the question friend and foe are mulling over.

Jirongo launched his presidential bid on September 9, indicating his agenda will be to ensure equal distribution of resources through the county governments, as a way of fighting inequality, which he feels is fueling tribalism.

“We have used Government as a pathway to riches, to isolate and discriminate other parts of the country. And this led to the ‘explosion’ we saw four years ago. Today we would give ourselves praises of how we have achieved economic development, but we never answer the question of ‘who have we achieved it for,” Jirongo said, during the launch of his bid at the KICC.

Political observers argue it may be an uphill task for Jirongo to build FPK within six months to a formidable party to compete with others in the March elections.

While he was elected to Parliament on a Kaddu ticket in the 2007 General Election as Lugari MP, his second election in parliamentary politics after his 1997 win, Jirongo shifted to United Republic Party (URP) after his party was deregistered and moved on later after falling out with the URP de-facto leader William Ruto.

His next stop was FPK despite reports having also linked him to United Democratic Movement, whose Secretary General Martin Kamwaro confirmed they had talks with the Lugari MP, but failed to strike a compromise.

ODM support
Jirongo is among several other presidential aspirants from Western Province, among them Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Musalia Mudavadi, Justice Minister Eugene Wamalwa, and Trade Minister Moses Wetangula.

While Wamalwa and Wetangula are from the Bukusu community, the most populous sub-tribe of Luhya, and Mudavadi from the Maragoli, the second sub-tribe after in population, Jirongo comes from the Tiriki, a minority among the Luhya.

The minority question, according to political observers, explains why Jirongo has in the past unsuccessfully pushed for Luhya unity.

Jirongo had two months ago dismissed Mudavadi as a ‘State House project’. He is now facing the same accusation of being a project though this time of the Prime Minister Raila Odinga, to scuttle Mudavadi’s presidential bid.

Mudavadi supporters, among them members of the Luhya Council of Elders, have since dismissed Jirongo’s presidential bid.

The council Secretary General Japheth Barua said the attendance of Raila allies at the launch of Jirongo’s party was a sign that he was an ODM project.

“ Mudavadi and Jirongo have in their past utterances left no doubt that they were wary of each other politically, and that none would afford to take the other for granted,” noted political analyst, lawyer Titus Bittok.

ODM MPs at the occasion included Assistant Minister Sospeter Ojaamong, Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba, and Nominated MP Milly Odhiambo. Ganze MP Francis Baya, who also attended, has since far joined Jirongo in FPK.

However, Ababu and Ojaamong indicated they only attended to give Jirongo moral support as a friend, but the Budalangi MP added a rider by defining ‘characteristics of a project’ in what appeared to be an apparent swipe at Mudavadi.

“You know characters of political projects. They exhibit confidence they never had before, and at the same time throw around heavy finances,” noted Ababu, while praising Jirongo as a political leader no one can ignore, whether through love or hatred.

But Ikolomani MP Bonny Khalwale notes whatever strategy Jirongo employs, they wish him well because they have had enough of ‘project claims’ and the country has to move forward.

“We are packaging Mudavadi as a national candidate. There will be other presidential candidates from Western, but the best candidate will win the presidency,” says Khalwale.

Federal Party national chairman Kizito Temba disagrees with claims that Jirongo is an ODM project, noting the party is going all the way to the ballot, and that pre-election deals are not part of its ball game.

Main priority
“We are going to field a presidential candidate and other candidates in all elective seats. FPK is open to alliances with like-minded parties such as ODM, New Ford-Kenya, and even The National Alliance, but that will come at another stage,” says Temba.

He adds: “Our priority is to carry out massive member recruitment around the country. We are targeting at least three million members to strengthen the party at the grassroots.”

The Jirongo launch on a Federal Party ticket has also awakened Wamalwa and Wetangula, with Wamalwa planning his launch in a few weeks’, while Wetangula re-affirming his commitment to be on the presidential ballot as well.

Jirongo on his part has indicated the theme of his presidential bid is redemption.

“Federal Party stands for three things: Restoration of fairness, creating opportunities for all, and defending the Constitution,” said Jirongo.

He further noted: “Our message as Federal Party is that Kenyans create the Government, and it’s not the Government that creates Kenyans. Let Kenyans, therefore, take charge of their country.”

Bittok, who lectures at Moi University noted, despite his late entry into the race, like any other politician, Jirongo’s chances would depend on how he networks and his finishing kicks.

With som many presidential contenders from Western Province, it appears it will be an uphill task Jirongo to amass support in the region.

With strong Kanu links, Kenyans may not bee too ethusiatic to support him. But with his mobilisation skills, he is still a politcal force.