www.Kisii.Com: Syndicated news from only reputable sources [Nation, and Standard Newspapers, Kenya Times, KBC, etc.]

No Spark in Nyamira Politics After Anyona

Details

Published on Wednesday, 12 October 2011 15:22

Where did the firebrands who characterised Nyamira politics go? Even as voters face a by-election in Kitutu Masaba on November 28, it is unlikely a political equal of George Moseti Anyona will emerge. For three decades Anyona was the face of Kisii politics at the national level.

And when he died in 2003 he had undergone a metamorphosis, from a celebrity to a political martyr and eventually a peace maker.

He once summed up himself in Parliament thus: "I have realized this late in time that I spent the better part of my life fighting the establishment; and, now time has come to evaluate myself at this late hour as a peace maker."

That was Anyona the fighter who had transformed to a peace maker during the 1997 Inter-Party Parliamentary Group talks that brought minimum constitutional changes for elections that year.

And while in detention in both the Kenyatta and Moi regimes, Mr Abuya Abuya tried to fill in the big shoes but it was never the same.

Three constituencies

George Morara, a former MP for West Mugirango was another fire brand from the county.

Like Anyona, he put the county on the national map with fiery criticism of the establishment.

Why is Nyamira no longer producing such politicians?

The county has only three constituencies.

Dr James Gesami (West Mugirango) is saddled in Constituency Development Fund audit queries.

Mr Walter Nyambati (Kitutu Masaba) is now fighting a by-election scheduled for November 28.

Mr Wilfred Ombui of North Mugirango is yet to find equilibrium in the politics.

"It depends from where one is standing in judging the crop of Nyamira MPs who followed Anyona and Morara," says Henry Obwocha, a former Cabinet Minister from the county.

Mr Obwocha who is out to contest the senator's seat continues: "Morara became popular for fighting the Kenyatta regime while Anyona became famous for his pivotal role in the second liberation."

And even as the country moves closer to elections which will install county governments, there is very little enthusiasm on the ground of people seeking to be either governor or senator.

Incumbent MPs have their plates full with personal problems to solve.

In the race for senator are Mr Abuya, former MP for North Mugirango, Mr Nyarangi Moturi and Mr Mong'are Okong'o.