COUNTY POLITICS: Fred Rabong’o out to break Kajwang’ family’s hold on Senate seat

Homa Bay County senatorial race is a two-horse contest between Senator Moses Kajwang’ and businessman Fred Rabong’o.

Senator Kajwang’ succeeded his brother, the late Otieno Kajwang’ in a hotly contested by election in 2015, but Mr Rabongo’ has accused the flamboyant lawmaker of underperformance in his legislative roles.

Clan and party factors are key in determining the winner of the tight race.

Senator Kajwang’ and his rival are surprisingly hailing from the same village in Waondo in Suba North.

In the county, the senatorial race is among the two who are largely from Suba region, which consists of Suba South and Suba North constituencies respectively.

REGIONAL PACT

In a pre-election pact made in the county by politicians ahead of the last General Elections, Governor Cyprian Awiti who hails from Karachuonyo got the governor’s position; senator’s position went to Suba, while deputy governor’s position went to Ndhiwa.

The Woman Representative’s position went to Rangwe while the county secretary’s position was given to Homa Bay Town.

In his view, Senator Kajwang’ does not rubbish the regional pact but cautions that it should not be used to promote and entrench mediocrity.

“It is always important to respect interests of the minority but it is foolhardy to entertain mediocrity at the expense of equity,” said Senator Kajwang’.

To residents of Homa Bay County, Senator Kajwang’ is a sharp contrast of his late brother Otieno Kajwang’.

UNDERPERFORMANCE

While his late brother was charismatic and humorous in his political life, the younger Kajwang’ presents flamboyance and a straight shooting personality.

Senator Kajwang’ banks on his contributions in the Senate and his oversight role to ensure that money coming down to the county is properly utilised for the people.

This has in the past put him at loggerheads with the county government leadership that perceives him as a critic.

Mr Kajwang in his first month in office openly differed with Governor Awiti over pace of development.

“My expectation is that money coming to the counties changes people’s lives. I would like to see things happening now,” he says.

Mr Kajwang’ - who has not openly backed any gubernatorial candidate in the county - has been faulted by his opponent for underperformance in his three year tenure.

“Senator Kajwang’ was elected mainly because of sympathy towards his brother’s death. Residents have found him incapable of being a legislator,” said Mr Rabong’o.

OVERSIGHT ROLE

The two have clashed over the roles of a senator in their campaigns.

Mr Rabong’o has vowed to influence development projects in the county if elected while Kajwang’ has accused his opponent of “not knowing” roles of a senator.

“Role of a senator is the least understood role in Kenya out of the six elective positions. It is important for my opponent to know that a senator influences development but does not execute it directly,” said Mr Kajwang’.

Mr Rabong’o has also accused the senator of doing little in his oversight role to ensure prudent mismanagement of county funds.

“The senator is a stooge of the sitting governor and can, therefore, not question the excesses of officials in the county government,” said Mr Rabong’o.

The two aspirants both say that will push for establishment of county development boards to be effective for additional allocation of funds to counties.

They are both seeking the ODM ticket to vie for the seat.

BACK IN ODM

Mr Rabong’o vied for the position unsuccessfully in the by-elections after ditching ODM and opted for Kenda ticket following shoddy nominations conducted by ODM.

Rabong’o claims to have been part of Mr Raila Odinga’s strategic team in last election contests.

“I have been a staunch ODM member and supporters who has ever been with Raila Odinga in his presidential bids,” said Mr Rabong’o.

“I am ready to face Senator Kajwang’, we are all in ODM and that’s the party of my choice. I went to another other party because of poorly conducted nominations in ODM but I am now at home,” said Mr Rabong’o.

Mr Kajwang’ has questioned Mr Rabong’o loyalty to ODM.