COUNTY POLITICS: Four aspirants line up to tame firebrand Millie Odhiambo

The name was changed from Mbita to Suba North by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, in line with request of elders of the Suba people who wanted the name changed to help them retain their diminishing heritage.

Campaigns which have intensified in the constituency in the last one month have attracted four aspirants seeking to unseat Ms Millie Odhiambo who currently holds the seat.

The competition pits the incumbent Millie Odhiambo, against Jim Akali Agembe, 33, a real estate businessman, lawyer Humphrey Obach, Ayodo Nyabwana and former chairperson of the Homa Bay County public service Board Judy Kamaria.

 Ms Odhiambo relies on her development record and populous Rusinga and Mfanga’ano islands which are her backyard for re-election. 

A native of Rusinga Island, Ms Odhiambo enjoys support in Lake Victoria Islands found in the constituency such as Kiwa, Mfangano, Rusinga, Takawiri and Remba.

SEASONED POLITICIAN

 However, the candidature of  Ms Kamaria who is a seasoned politician in the constituency is set to tear apart Ms Odhiambo’s support in her backyard.

 Ms Kamaria hails from Mfanga’ano Island and is relying on support from the islands to capture the seat.

 The constituency has four wards namely; Gembe, Lambwe, Kasgunga, Rusinga and Mfang’ano wards.

Mr Obach and Mr Akali are natives of Gembe and Lambwe wards respectively.

Historically, political rivalry between residents of the constituency from the mainland and islands usually plays out in each electoral contest.

NOMINATED MP

 The late Homa Bay Senator Otieno Kajwang’ who became a two term MP for the constituency from 1997 to 2013 hailed from the mainland before Ms Odhiambo from Rusinga Island took the mantle in the 2013 election.

 Ms Odhiambo launched her political career as a nominated MP before her election to Parliament in 2013.

She laughed off the bids by her opponents to unseat her in August elections, saying that her record “speaks for itself.”

“I stand to be re-elected because of my development record. I have initiated life changing programmes for the constituents in my tenure,” said Ms Odhiambo.

 Ms Odhiambo boasts of new learning institutions she has helped to open in the islands and cold storage facilities along the lake.

CRIED FOUL

 Fishermen in Lake Victoria have often cried foul over neglect by leaders from the region.

Homa Bay County Beach Management Network Unit Edward Oremo explains that fishermen need leaders who will lobby for better prices of fish and also help to stop Ugandan security officials from harassing them while fishing.

 “We need leaders who will cater for our interests. Our leaders have not satisfactorily defended our interests as fishermen,” said Mr Oremo.

 Mr Akali, know for numerous philanthropic activities, targeting vulnerable constituents, hopes to capture the seat after unveiling his agenda last month.

He wants to transform education and heath sectors in the constituency. He faults Ms Odhiambo for doing little to improve education standards in the constituency.

MORE CLASSROOMS

 “I want to build more classrooms and dispensaries to improve lives of the residents. Ms Odhiambo has failed in this,” said Mr Akali.

 Mr Akali  also seeks to focus on fishing sector in the constituency to improve lives of fishermen.

 “If elected, I am going to fight for better prices for fish and also ensure that more cold storage facilities are built along the lake,” pledged Mr Akali.

 Ms Kamaria who first vied for the seat in 2007 before unsuccessfully trying her luck in Homa Bay Town parliamentary seat in 2013, is banking on her political experience to capture the seat. 

While launching her bid for the seat in Abasuba Peace Museum in Mfangano Island last month, Ms Kamaria exuded confidence that she will unseat Ms Odhiambo.

FAILED CONSTITUENTS
 “Ms Odhiambo has no reason to seek re-election because she knows that she has failed Suba North constituents,” said Ms Kamaria.

Ms Kamaria seeks to empower youth and women if elected.

“I am going to place my focus on young people and women who are vulnerable to poverty,” said Ms Kamaria.

 Winning the ODM primaries is key for all the aspirants as it almost certainly opens the door to the National Assembly for the winner.