What will become of the Jaramogi-Omamo third generation politicians?

He may well have been a Nairobi-based businessman or even an aspiring politician with interests in Kibra constituency, but the late Fidel Castro Odinga was nonetheless a homeboy of Bondo constituency, Siaya County. 

Locals accordingly view his death as a major political loss to the people of Bondo, the rural home of his father, Raila Amolo Odinga. Fidel’s grandfather, the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, served as area MP in the 1960s and later in the 1990s. In his absence, upon being placed in political detention by Kenya’s first President, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, the colourful and humourous William Odongo Omamo served as area MP. 

In a way, there was rivalry of sorts between the Odinga and Omamo families, in Bondo.

Omamo, father of Defence Cabinet Secretary, Rachelle, was mostly fronted by the Kanu establishment, under Jomo Kenyatta and later President Daniel arap Moi.

Upon return of multiparty politics and the release of Jaramogi, the old man reclaimed his seat with ease, as Omamo retreated to a separate political home in Muhoroni.

Although Jaramogi’s political constituency stretched beyond Bondo and Luo Nyanza, nonetheless regarded Jaramogi as a rival in the local Bondo politics. With the two now dead, as well as Fidel, just who will be the third generation politicians from the Jaramogi and Omamo families to control Bondo politics?

When at 83 years Jaramogi died in 1994, his son, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga took over and has risen through the ranks to become the Luo community’s political kingpin. Although Omamo died in 2010, his dynasty was also resuscitated when President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed his daughter, Raychelle, to Government in the powerful Ministry of Defence in 2013.

This turns the focus on the third generation politicians. Who will take up the mantle from their grandfathers? There were indications Raila’s eldest son, the late Fidel, was destined to plunge into politics in 2017, in what some said would be a move to succeed his father and keep the Odinga political empire alive.

Fresh energy

This was evident — Fidel stayed close to his father, playing a critical role in his campaigns as well as learning the political ropes. With a youthful and outgoing personality, Fidel would bring a fresh energy to continue Odinga’s political dynasty that has been in existence for more than three decades.

Unlike the Omamos, Jaramogi’s second generation politicians have been very visible. Other than Raila, his brother Oburu Oginga is a nominated MP and his sister Ruth Odinga a deputy governor.

Fidel’s death is a huge blow to the Odinga’s political regime, given the fact that his remaining kins appear to lack the political “genes”.
In a similar manner, there is nobody in the political limelight at the Omamos other than Raychelle, capable of continuing the reign.
Political analyst and Nyando based politician Jared Okelo argues that influential politicians can still emerge.

“Although the remaining relatives seem not be politicians by birth, Raila can still use his political influence to groom some of them to the helm of politics,” he argued.

Rise politically

He added: “The Omamo family’s case still remains uncertain because other than the fact that Raychelle is a Cabinet Secretary, she seems not be keen on politics. If her relatives are to rise politically, it will take their own initiative.”

The Odinga and Omamo families have controlled Bondo politics for more than four decades, and the recent development could herald a change in the area’s politics.
Known for his high sense of humour and eloquence, Omamo held long-standing political rivalry with the Odinga family, something that forced him to flee his Bondo residence to seek refuge at the Muhoroni settlement scheme, Kisumu County, where his family lives to date.

Perceived to be used by the Odinga’s political enemies in the Kanu regime to gain a foothold in Luo Nyanza, the rivalry between the duo peaked in 1969 when Omamo was elected Bondo MP.

Omamo was commonly referred to as Kaliech (elephant-like) owing to his persistent call to residents to “think big” by initiating huge and elephant-like development projects.