MPs spoilt for choice as race to replace Nyong’o gathers pace

By DENNIS ONYANGO and LAWRENCE ALURU

KENYA: Confusion has engulfed ODM MPs from Nyanza on who to support for the secretary general’s seat in the party’s national elections slated for February 28.

Hopefuls from the region have embarked on active campaigns to replace Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o, who opted out to pave way for fresh blood.

MPs Ken Obura (Kisumu Central), Nicholas Gumbo (Rarieda), John Mbadi (Gwasi) and Siaya Senator James Orengo are the leaders from the region eyeing the powerful position.

Area MPs are weighing options of throwing their weight behind one of their own or supporting a candidate from another community to strike a regional balance. But backing a single candidate for the position seems to be a great headache following the huge number of interested candidates from the region.

Kabondo Kasipul MP Sylvance Osele has declared his support for Obura while his Nyatike counterpart Edick Anyanga supports Gumbo. Uriri’s Jared K’opiyo backs Mbadi.

A number of other MPs say they are still consulting on whom to back.

Kasipul MP Oyugi Magwanga said Nyong’o should be replaced by a competent leader whose leadership experience has been tested. “It should not be about age but somebody who is equal to the task,” he said.

Magwanga however insists that powerful positions should be shared to reflect national outlook as “ODM is a national party and not a regional outfit.”

Homa Bay County Women’s Representative Gladys Wanga hinted at supporting Mbadi and urged those interested in the seat not to use their regions as a campaign tool.

“It is natural that the party has strong support in Nyanza and Western and that is why there seems to be huge interest in those areas,” she said.

Obura and Mbadi have denied claims that they have been prevailed upon by the top party officials to vie for less powerful positions to give other regions a bite of the party leadership.

The duo claimed they are firmly in the race saying no ‘forces’ will deter their ambitions to revamp ODM. “It is open that I am going for the post of secretary general and I cannot accept to go for anything less. My resolve to restructure the party will never be shaken,” Obura said.

Mbadi on the other hand maintained that nobody had approached him to settle for deputy secretary general and warned his competitors to brace for a tough contest. “As a democratic party, everyone interested in its leadership should be left to pursue his ambition,” he said.

Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba and nominated Senators Agnes Zani and Elizabeth Ongoro who have declared interest in the same position.

But other MPs have discouraged the election of a secretary general from the Western region, saying it may spoil the party leader’s push to win the presidency in the 2017 general elections. Bondo MP Gideon Ochanda said the move might portray ODM as a regional party and lock away supporters from other regions.

“Democracy must not compromise regional balance. This is a national cake and must be enjoyed by everybody across the country,” he said.

Nyakach MP Aduma Owuor urged delegates to vote merit rather than ethnicity. “Nobody among the candidates should be voted because he comes from a particular region,” he said.