2007 Elections

Magara seeks niche in all 3 Kisii districts

Details

Published on Sunday, 26 August 2007 04:37

South Mugirango promises the most dramatic political battle in Gusiiland. 

It is the only constituency where a Ford-People MP has rebelled against his party leader and the tough-talking Omugusii senior-most politician – Ford-P leader Simeon Nyandusi Nyachae.

When area MP James Omingo Magara walked out of Nyachae’s team to join the Orange Democratic Movement, many thought he was digging his political grave.As the clock ticks towards the December General Election, Magara, the ODM national treasurer, is struggling to cut himself a political niche as the party’s populist point-man in the three Kisii districts and to prove that he made a wise decision after all.

But South Mugirango is not only known for its rugged and unpredictable political landscape, it is also home to the world famous Kisii Soapstone products. It is here that villagers toil in caves to produce the stuff used in dolling the beautiful carvings that decorate walls in Kenya and overseas.

The plight of the stone miners and carvers who remain poor despite the existence of the multi-million-shilling soapstone industry is top on the political agenda as aspirants prepare to mount the campaign platform. But things are changing for the better for some of the soapstone carvers, a number of whom have been contracted by Twentieth Century Fox, which in July 2006 designated Tabaka soapstone carvings as official Simpsons merchandise. They will produce soapstone figurines featuring world-famous characters from The Simpsons TV cartoon series and movie for sale around the globe in what could well turn out to be a multi-million dollar venture.

The Simpsons are a TV cartoon family that is almost as dysfunctional as some of the stars of Kenyan politicking. The carvers have long struggled to form a cooperative society to help them shake off middlemen, but things have not worked out well.

Last year, Trade Minister Dr Mukhisa Kituyi visited the soapstone quarry and promised to address the plight of the miners. They will definitely be seeking answers from both the Opposition and President Kibaki’s campaigners. And it is not only soapstone industry politics that will dominate the campaigns, the soaring poverty levels and the tussle over the headquarters of the newly created Kisii South District will lengthen the list of the constituency’s political agenda. There are complaints about the distribution of CDF money, poor roads and insecurity. The constituency has borne the brunt of tribal and land clashes between Luos living in Migori and their Kisii neighbours. There are also the frequent attacks by the deadly vigilante group known as Sungu Sungu, whose members have indiscriminately killed people suspected to be thieves or witches.

This year alone, close to 15 people have been killed. Dwindling fortunes in the agricultural sector will be an issue too. Despite its rich soils, the constituency does not produce enough food and cash crops for its people. Sugarcane farmers have complained of late harvesting of their cane by the South Nyanza Sugar Company and lack of loan facilities.

This has forced the cane farmers to turn to jaggery production, which does not yield much money.Clannism is also likely to rear its ugly head in election campaigns. Three major clans in the constituency, namely Bogetenga, Botabori and Bosinange, are rivals for the seat, with each trying to have its own candidate as winner.

Mr James Omingo Magara

His younger sister, Caren, former Assistant Minister Mr David Kombo and Mr Rashid Munyonga are also in the race. Caren has been something of a thorn in her brother’s flesh, openly challenging him for the seat. She denies claims that she is being used by Nyachae and the Government to fight her brother.

Others in the race include Mr Justus Oungo Ondari, Mr Ezekiel Okengo, Mr Kepher Moroko and Mr Daniel Apepo.