Harambees by Jubilee allies spark jitters in Raila’s turf ahead of 2017

By PROTUS ONYANGO and DENNIS ONYANGO

Despite fear that fundraisers, referred to as “harambees” are being used as a political tool, they are gaining popularity in Nyanza and Western.

More than eight major fundraisers have been held in the last three months, some presided over by Jubilee leaders or their perceived sympathisers. Deputy President William Ruto has attended three, two in ousted Governor Okoth Obado’s Migori County while the third was in Kisumu, where he helped raise Sh20.5 million in aid of Seventh Day Adventist Church’s western union conference.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has significantly supported the fundraisers by sending his contributions. Although he has not attended any, Ruto and Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero have always conveyed his goodwill. In the fundraiser held in Migori County’s Ranen SDA church recently, President Kenyatta sent Sh1 million. During the Kisumu’s fundraiser held a month ago to help jua kali artisans presided over by Kidero and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Kenyata sent Sh500,000.

This has sent panic in Raila’s political stronghold of Nyanza and Western and his loyalists view the move as intended to split his support in the region.

The fundraisers have not only created a rift between ODM and the ruling Jubilee alliance, but also created internal conflicts within the Orange party. Kidero and Rongo MP Dalmas Otieno, who have been key players in fundraisers in the region, have been branded Jubilee moles. The bid by Otieno to form another political outfit to rival the Orange party began when Raila declined to endorse him for the ODM leadership following his perceived closeness with the Jubilee alliance. The idea was that the ODM’s political enemies would take advantage of Otieno’s position in the party to wreck it from within. Kisumu County senator Anyang’ Nyong’o has raised concerns over the harambees. The legislator said harambee is a major source of corruption and should be conducted under an established legal framework.

“Harambee becomes a way of corruptly bribing voters while the voters also corruptly extort money from those seeking their votes,” said Nyong’o, adding that this is contrary to Chapter Six of the Constitution on leadership and integrity.

With devolution, Nyong’o said grassroots development could be carried out within properly established and accountable local governance institutions instead of relying on fundraisers.

“Devolved governments can more efficiently use public resources to provide social amenities without relying on ad hoc funding through harambees. Social amenities and infrastructural facilities like schools and health centres can now be put up by much better structured funds like the CDF,” Prof Nyong’o said. MPs John Mbadi (Gwasii), Opondo Kaluma (Homa Bay town) and Junet Mohammed (Suna East) share Nyong’o’s sentiments. Mbadi says harambees alone cannot develop a region.

False picture

“The Jubilee government is trying to give a false picture that Nyanza can be developed through harambees. The region requires tangible development projects that can change the lives of its people,” said Mr Mbadi.

Kaluma on, the other hand, faults harambees, claiming they lack accountability. The legislator claims much of the money collected always end up in the wrong hands, not for the intended projects.  Junet claimed the Jubilee government is using some influential leaders in Nyanza to ‘buy voters’ through harambees. “They are disguising in the name of development to gain support in Nyanza. We have known their tricks and we challenge them to openly declare their interest in the region,” he said.

However, fundraisers have gained support in the region, with those who earlier opposed the move buying  the  idea. Kisumu East MP Shakeel Shabbir said Nyanza should work with the national government and even invite the Jubilee leaders to help do fundraisers for development projects in the area.  “I am ready to welcome any leader in my constituency to help raise money for development projects,” Mr Shabbir said. His Rangwe counterpart George Oner said harambees have helped put up schools and health facilities, saying they cannot rely on government funding alone for such initiatives. “The leaders who oppose fundraisers are those who want to take advantage of poverty among voters for their own gain. They know that by giving out little handouts during campaigns, they will sway voters to support them,” he said.

The group that supports harambees has coalesced itself around Kidero, who recently graced a fundraiser in Kachar Girls’ School, Homa Bay County and declared: “We must now reduce politics and concentrate on development. We must work with the government in order to enjoy the national cake.”