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Minister the second to go down in the coalition

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Published on Thursday, 31 December 2009 02:53

Trade Assistant Minister Omingo Magara becomes the second MP in the Grand Coalition Government to lose a parliamentary seat through a petition.

This is after former Bomachoge MP Joel Onyancha, also from Nyanza Province, lost his seat last year.

Yesterday, Mr Magara remained defiant, terming the decision a minor political setback that would not ruin his career.

Addressing supporters outside the High Court in Kisii, Magara termed it a ploy by a few people to derail the wishes of the people of South Mugirango.

"I will not be shaken. This is a minor setback but you can never and will never stop somebody’s luck. Our resolve and determination to change South Mugirango and this country won’t stop and God will take us there," he said.

Bounce back

He said he was confident South Mugirango constituents will go to the polls and shame "the devil" by voting for him overwhelmingly.

"Hii ni kama maji inayotiririka mtoni. Tutawatwanga 10-0 kwa kura hiyo. (This is like water flowing down a stream. We shall trounce them 10-0 in the by-election). You can place a valve but you cannot stop its journey downstream," he said amid cheers from the crowd.

But the petitioner, Manson Nyamweya said the ruling was the will of God and he was looking forward to the by-election.

"I thank God for the ruling. It reflects the will of God and the people of South Mugirango, who will now have a fair chance to elect a leader of their choice," Mr Nyamweya said.

Magara joined Parliament in 2000, following the death of his brother Enock Nyankieya Magara and has since emerged as a vibrant and ambitious politician in Kisii.

Strong allies

He first won the support of former Cabinet Minister and political kingpin of the Abagusii, Simeon Nyachae.

His initial activism brought him close to the so-called reform proponents, led by Lands Minister James Orengo, Paul Muite, Mukhisa Kituyi and a younger sister Carren Magara.

After the 2007 elections, and following Nyachae’s election defeat, Magara emerged as one of the political strongmen in Kisii.

Magara has lately had a frosty relationship with his party boss and while he has not come out publicly to declare his official divorce with Raila Odinga, his political buddy, William Ruto, has been on the campaign trail undermining the Prime Minister.

The question now is: Will ODM come out of the South Mugirango by-election stronger or weaker?