COUNTY POLITICS: Bondo MP digs in to keep seat from Oburu Oginga

The race for the Bondo parliamentary seat has attracted four contestants – all eying the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket in the primaries to be held tomorrow.

Considered an ODM stronghold, whoever wins the primaries will have a major head start in the August 8 General Election.

The aspirants are all seeking to unseat the incumbent – Dr Gideon Ochanda.

They include nominated MP Oburu Oginga, IT specialist Leakey Tono Abuor and businessman Stephen Scott Ondiek.

OGINGA'S INTERFERENCE
However, the race has narrowed down to the incumbent and Dr Oginga, who have constantly been accusing each other of doing little to develop the constituency based in Siaya County - home to National Super Alliance co-principal Raila Odinga.

The war of words between the two dates back to 2014 when Dr Ochanda accused Dr Oginga of interfering with his development projects.

He has, consequently, warned Dr Oginga - Raila’s elder brother - to stick to his roles as a nominated legislator instead of sabotaging his work.

“Dr Oburu should keep off the affairs of the constituency in order to avoid unnecessary political confrontations. His constant interference will derail all the projects we are undertaking in the region,” he says.

BURSARY
In an interview with the Nation, Dr Ochanda, however, expresses confidence he would retain his seat in the primaries based on his development track record.

“My record speaks for itself. I have transformed the lives of many Bondo residents – both old and young alike - in the five years I have been in office. You cannot compare my achievements to Dr Oginga's tenure,” he goes on.

He particularly cites the school feeding programme as one of his major achievements, which he adds, has significantly improved education standards in the constituency by retaining more children in the institutions of learning.

The MP also boasts of awarding all day scholars in secondary schools in Bondo a Sh5,000 bursary each.

INCOMPETENT LEADER
This, he says, has relieved parents the burden of looking for school fees for their children.

He also claims to have enrolled more than 300 village elders in the National Hospital Insurance Fund, introduced a 200-acre irrigation project in East Yimbo and helped set up numerous fish cages in Lake Victoria.

“I am not scared of anyone in the polls. All I know is that my opponent (Dr Oginga) is not happy with my achievements and will do everything to taint my image. But the voters are not stupid to fall for his propaganda,” he says.

On the other hand, Dr Oginga has accused the incumbent of failing Bondo residents, despite being given ample time and support.

Dr Oginga says the incumbent lacks leadership skills and competency to manage the constituency.

“This is the reason he should not be re-elected for a second term,” he says.

CLAN FACTOR
He regrets endorsing Dr Ochanda for the seat in 2013 and asked the electorate to forgive him for ‘supporting him as the area MP’.

“I am coming back for my seat (Bondo MP seat ) in August, it is high time Dr Ochanda went home because he has done nothing meaningful to transform the lives of Bondo people,” Dr Oginga says.

Dr Oginga accused the MP of openly neglecting development projects he initiated when in office.

“The MP has neglected key projects I started in 2012 and has decided to engage in entrepreneurship projects instead of development projects. These things will work against him in the polls, I swear,” Dr Oginga says.

Dr Ochanda will bank on the support from the populous Nyasimwa clans and his native Yimbo clan to retain his seat while Dr Oginga turns to his Nyibinya clan and the residents living in Bondo town.