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The scramble for Abagusii votes
- Details
- Published on Monday, 04 June 2007 02:03
The larger Kisii, with 10 constituencies, will contribute 20, 000 of ODM-Kenya’s 420, 000 delegates expected to participate in the nomination.
Three of ODM-Kenya’s top presidential aspirants Mr Raila Odinga, Mr Kalonzo Musyoka and Mr William Ruto have made inroads in the area.
Of interest is perhaps how Raila and Kalonzo are creating networks in Nyamira, Kisii and Gucha districts.
While Kalonzo has campaigned in the entire Abagusii land, Raila is through with Nyamira and Kisii but is yet to invade Gucha.
And while Raila has got some veteran politicians from the region to his side, Kalonzo is banking on freshers.
In the Lang’ata MP’s team are the fiery South Mugirango MP, Mr James Magara, former Cabinet minister, Mr Chris Obure, former Assistant ministers, Mr James Kiangoi, and Mr Zephania Anyieni. Others include former Permanent Secretary, Mr James Ongwae, political activists Mr Timothy Bosire and Richard Momoima.
Freshmen mostly comprising city lawyers, Lumumba Nyaberi, Dr Timothy Oirere, Dr Joseph Oonge and former PC, Mr Zachary Ogongo, make up Kalonzo’s team.
The intensity of campaigns by Raila and Kalonzo is so high that it is now becoming evident at the grassroots.
Though ODM-Kenya has eight presidential aspirants fighting for the party’s ticket, only Raila, Kalonzo and Ruto are expected to realistically stake claim to Abagusii votes.
Raila fast stormed into Gusiiland with a series of campaigns in the expansive Nyamira and Kisii districts two weeks ago before jetting out of the country for a tour in the US.
His archrival, the Mwingi North MP followed suit, pitching tent at Nyamira, Gucha and the entire Kisii in a record four-day campaign tour.
As Kalonzo arrived in Kisii, those in Raila’s camp chose to stay away, leaving the Mwingi North MP with only freshmen.
It was Mr Lumumba Nyaberi and Mr Zachary Ogongo who organised Kalonzo’s rallies in Nyamira and Gucha districts last week.
"Every candidate has a right to try his luck everywhere, but as far as I am concerned Agwambo will sweep Kisii," said Mr Magara.
The South Mugirango MP went through his activities in the constituency, ignoring Kalonzo’s presence.
Then Musyoka trooped to Magara’s public baraza at Nyamarambe where he had organised residents to discuss the fate of Nyamarambe as the headquarters of the newly created Kisii South District.
Accompanied by a host of fresh aspirants from the area, Kalonzo, who turned up uninvited, told the audience to ask their Magara to decamp to his side.
"Tell your MP, my brother Magara here, to join us. I can assure you Kalonzo is going to carry the day and march straight to State House," he said. Moments after Mwingi North MP left with his team, Magara told the gathering, "Forget about Kalonzo. You all know we are with Agwambo. Let us talk about Nyamarambe now."
Just like at the national level, in Kisii, Raila’s men will run against Kalonzo’s during nominations.
In South Mugirango, Mr Rashid Munyonga is running against Magara while in Bobasi, Nyaberi is expected to sort out with Obure.
Things are not any different in Bomachoge where Dr Oirere will battle out with Anyieni. The same is evident in all the other constituencies in Gusiiland where Kalonzo and Raila are expected to stage a titanic battle against each other.
While Raila does not see eye to eye with Roads and Public works minister, Mr Simeon Nyachae, Kalonzo has soft spot for the latter.
Sometime last year when the two met at a funeral in Nyaribari Chache, Nyachae indicated that he could support Kalonzo’s bid.
But the minister seems to have changed his mind and chosen to support President Kibaki’s re-election.
"I want to tell Mzee Nyachae to back me. I want him to join us because I am afraid the referendum shame is likely to catch up with him again," Kalonzo said at a meeting in Nyamarambe in Gucha District.
However, some of the incumbent MPs are unlikely to be pleased with Musyoka, who is moving with a battalion of political aspirants likely to contest against them. Obure, Anyieni and Magara are managing Raila’s campaign in Gucha while Kiangoi and Bosire are detailed to handle Nyamira.
In Kisii, Ongwae and Onyonka are behind the wheels.
The Abagusii made history in the last General Election when they voted overwhelmingly for Ford-People and Nyachae, who had contested for presidency.
In 1992, President Kibaki, former President Moi and Jaramogi each got a share of the Abagusii vote. Nyamira District provided a good hunting ground for Odinga where Ford-Kenya captured two seats through Mr Henry Obwocha and Mr Abuya Abuya.
