By Standard Team

Smarting from defeat in the last General Election, a number of former MPs from Nyanza are slowly settling down.

After their defeat, most of them accepted the loss and are saying they now have ample time to spend with their families and run their businesses.

From tight schedules during the 10th Parliament, former Muhoroni MP Prof. Ayiecho Olweny has gone back to class to lecture, while Pollyns Ochieng of Nyakach has immersed himself into business.

Edwin Yinda, touted as one of the richest people in Nyanza, has gone back to running his vast business empire which he operates from Mombasa.

Yinda, who lost the Alego/Usonga parliamentary seat to George Mulwan, said he is mostly engaged in marine business. “I engage in repair of ships and selling processed tea, which I have done for more than 20 years,” he said.

Consultancy job

Yinda, who is in his late 50s said he has retired from active politics. “I really wanted to help my constituents, but since they did not elect me, I have decided to go back to my business,” he said.

Martin Ogindo, who served as Rangwe MP is now a consultant in Nairobi.

Mr Ochieng is now concentrating in his business after he lost to Aduma Owuor of ODM. He had contested on Wiper Democratic Party ticket.

He said he is back to his business and is a relieved man after a busy lifestyle as an MP. “I am selling sugar on large scale in Nairobi and other towns with many clients,” he said, adding that he now has sufficient time to concentrate on his business that also includes managing a fleet of trucks.

He said he still supports his constituents but not like before as some of the responsibilities lies with the current MP. “I used to spend Sh200,000 every week in my constituency but now that has changed,” said Ochieng.

Private business

Ochieng, 50, runs his business from Nairobi but travels to Kisumu every weekend to be with his family and friends. He said that nowadays, he receives about four calls per hour, unlike when he was serving as an MP when he would receive many more within the same period.

Prof Ayiecho Olweny has gone back to lecturing and is currently at University of Nairobi in the Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Plant and Crop Production.

“I am now getting adequate time to read more as I have to prepare for lectures. Reading is one of my greatest hobbies,” said Prof Ayiecho, who had served as Muhoroni legislator for two terms.

 He said that his life is now more relaxed with minimal calls daily compared to when he was in Parliament.

Public figure

The former legislator visits home at least weekly and said he is still popular in his homeland. “Little has changed because I am still a public figure and popular among the locals,” he said.

Prof Ayiecho taught at Maseno University and UoN, before he joined politics in 2002.

People Democratic Party’s Onyango Koyoo floored him in the recently concluded polls. The former MP’s future in politics is still uncertain.

However, Ayiecho and Ochieng said they would both contest for the same seat come the next General Elections.

“I am still confident that I can offer my services to the people of Nyakach Constituency,” said Ochieng, adding he has never sought to join Parliament for monetary gain.

“I was in Parliament to serve my constituents. It is wrong for one to seek an elective post with the sole purpose of the payment,” he argued.

He castigated the current Parliament for its agitation for a pay rise. He said that MPs move to castigate the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) for gazettement of a lower pay than the 10th Parliament is selfish.

Ogindo, 46, said he is currently a consultant in budgeting and public finance in Nairobi.

Civil servant

He was a civil servant before he joined politics in 2007. Ogindo said he was already accustomed to the life outside Parliament. He argues that his new life has now given him an opportunity to spend more time with his family.

He, however, did not state whether he would contest in the next General Election, arguing that it was too early to make a decision.

The former legislator promised to continue serving the area residents in different capacities even outside Parliament. He was chairman of the Budget Committee.

Former Kitutu Masaba MP Walter Nyambati, a career soldier and insurance manager, says for now he will continue carrying out his responsibilities as a leader. “As a leader, you can serve your people at various levels without necessarily being an MP,” said Nyambati who was the Jubilee torchbearer in Nyamira County.

Professional accountant

For former North Mugirango MP Wilfred Ombui, he said that politics is not everything in life.

Mr Ombui, a professional accountant, said he was waiting for the political temperatures to cool off before he chart his next course of action. However, one of his close allies confided that he was planning to start lecturing at a local university.

Others in the region who lost in the March polls include Prof Sam Ongeri (Kisii Senate), Charles Onyancha (Bonchari), Robert Monda (Nyaribari Chache), Cyprian Ojwang (Uriri) and John Pesa (Migori).

-Story by Rushdie Oudia, Mangoa Mosota, James Omoro, Lawrence Aluru and Robert Nyasato