Magara in a spot as rivals question his track record

By Beauttah Omanga

As by-election campaigns in South Mugirango get to the homestretch, it has emerged the battle will be won on five key grounds.

Top on the agenda is Omingo Magara’s track record as the area MP over the last 12 years. His management of the CDF kitty, the Tabaka soap stone prospects, desire for a sugar factory, President Kibaki succession battle, and jostling among Kisii politicians to replace former Cabinet Minister Simeon Nyachae as regional kingpin are likely determine the by-lection outcome. Magara has been on the receiving end from his opponents who accuse him of doing little to develop the constituency. Lands Minister James Orengo, who toured the area recently, accused him of being a non-performer.

Ford-People’s Manson Nyamweya and Kenda’s Ezekiel Okemwa claim Magara slept on the job and failed to complete even a single project since he was elected.

However, Magara says he did a lot and the constituents can attest to this. "We have several health centres, schools and rural roads are now passable unlike in the past," he says.

He adds: "I have initiated several projects and there is accountability on how we spend the CDF kitty. I should be given time to finish my term."

For many years now, Tabaka soapstone, a unique gem found in the constituency, has been used by parliamentary aspirants to woo voters, with promises of initiating plans to construct a factory there.

Locals had also earmarked Nyangweta forest as the site for a proposed sugar factory but little has been done to make the dream a reality. With a choice of 11 candidates, the by-election is proving another contest between PNU and ODM allied politicians.

The race is shaping up and contenders include, Nyamweya, who successfully dethroned Magara via a petition and ODM’s new kid on the block, Ibrahim Ochoi.

Other candidates seeking stakes in the by-election include Ezekiel Okengo of Narc-Kenya, Abaga Sagero (NVP), John Ondara (Kanu), Masta Bw’Ondara (KSC), Robert Mbaka (Safina), Rashid Miyonga (PPK) and Joash Ombati Kengere (LPK).

South Mugirango borders the ODM bedrock of Luo Nyanza and it remains to be seen if the party can pull another surprise after success in last year’s Bomachoge by-elections.