Kisii reaps from President’s visit as Luo-Nyanza waits

By John Oywa, Robert Nyasato and Kenan Miruka

Like in previous instances, last week’s visit to Abagusii Nyanza by President Kibaki, was punctuated by hefty political goodies and promises.

By the end of his two-day tour, Kisii had four additional districts. The region with eleven constituencies now has 13 districts and leaders now target a province.

The President appeared to have opened a new political chapter in the region where Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s ODM laid a major stake in the last General Election.

The latest visit is President Kibaki’s third among the Abagusii since the 2007 presidential campaigns. While this part of Nyanza is "politically-friendly" to the President and PM, the larger and populous Luo-Nyanza is solidly pro-Raila.

President Kibaki has been rare in Luo Nyanza since he took over power about six years ago.

Questions are now being asked why he has shied away from the other part of Nyanza.

In the few instances the President has visited Kisumu, it has been strictly official business — mostly to open the Kisumu Agricultural show.

Several of his scheduled functions in Luo Nyanza have had to be cancelled at the eleventh hour.

In 2007 during campaigns, he was scheduled to officially commission the Sh12 billion Sondu-Miriu Hydro Power project in Nyakach, and also visit projects in Rarieda. The two functions were cancelled for unexplained reasons.

At about the same time, the President was also scheduled to commission a water project in Kisumu funded by the French Government. This also did not materialise.

Early this year, the President had accepted an invitation from the Kenya Airports Authority to preside over groundbreaking for the Sh2.6 billion Kisumu airport expansion project. Invitation letters had been distributed for the State function when it was cancelled because the President was visiting Rwanda.

Observers are now speculating President Kibaki’s handlers may be discouraging him from visiting Luo Nyanza.

"Some people close to the President may be telling him that the Luos are still unfriendly to him following the 2007 General Election fiasco," said a senior Luo politician who did not want to be named.

But Karachuonyo MP James Rege says the people of Luo Nyanza were eagerly waiting to receive President Kibaki.

"We feel as if we are orphans. The President has made several forays into Kisii in the recent past, but not a single visit to Luo Nyanza. He should come and visit us," said Rege.

Made promises

The MP observes Kibaki should freely visit Luo Nyanza given he was now working closely with the Prime Minister. Internal Security Assistant Minister and Ndhiwa MP Orwa Ojode who accompanied President Kibaki during the Kisii tour, asked Luo politicians to invite the President Kibaki to Luo Nyanza.

"The President normally brings lots of goodwill whenever he visits. Abagusii leaders have benefited because they keep inviting President Kibaki, regardless of their party affiliations," said Ojode.

Back in Kisii, the President promised a sugar factory in Gucha, an airport, a pineapple and a soapstone factory. Kisii leaders argue that President Kibaki’s trip was a thank you gesture to those who voted for him in 2007. Although six of 11 Abagusii MPs are aligned to ODM, officials of the defunct ECK awarded Kibaki more presidential votes.

The Abagusii also voted for Kibaki when he contested for president in 1997 on a Democratic Party ticket.

"This is time to pay us back for the solid support we have given you since 1992. It was only last year we failed to fully support you, but even then you got more in the presidential vote," Trade Assistant Minister and South Mugirango MP Omingo Magara told the president at Keroka when he opened the Keroka-Nyangusu road.

Public Works Minister Chris Obure, who is allied to ODM and Education Minister Sam Ongeri, said the Abagusii would support the Government.

"We used political parties as a bridge to Parliament. We must unite and ensure the Government succeeds," said Obure.

Ongeri said they only lead their supporters to a path where they were assured of development. The President was excited at the large crowds that welcomed him.

Former Bomachoge MP Joel Onyancha mobilised one of the largest crowds and the President rewarded them with Kenyenya District. But House Speaker Kenneth Marende ruined Onyancha’s day by declaring his seat vacant during the President’s final day in Kisii.