ODM rebel MP faces tough duel as 11 seek to unseat him

At least 11 aspirants have lined up to unseat Kisumu Central MP Ken Obura in the August polls.

Mr Obura, who has openly broken ranks with his ODM party leader Raila Odinga and supported Jubilee government, is staring at a tough contest to retain his seat.

For Mr Obura, his will be a battle against what loyalty to Mr Odinga means — a furiously guarded asset in Nyanza politics.

At stake in the constituency considered the traditional heartland of opposition politics is the scramble for the ODM ticket, the region’s dominant party.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s party, TNA Secretary-General Onyango Oloo has already lit up the constituency’s politics after his triumphant entry into the race.

During a rally attended by Mr Odinga at the Jomo Kenyatta Sports ground last month, residents asked Mr Oloo to vie for the seat.

The former TNA official threatened to spill beans about President Kenyatta’s Jubilee government.

That Mr Odinga personally welcomed him to the party has been viewed by many as a silent yet very powerful endorsement from a man whose word is as good as law in the party.

Other aspirants who include former Kisumu mayor Sam Okello, former Kisumu West MP Ken Nyagudi, controversial Gem Central MCA Fred Ouda and businessmen Abdulqadir Omar and Yusuf Ooro, have also taken advantage of Mr Obura’s perceived association with Jubilee to campaign against him.

And owing to its cosmopolitan status, there is also a scramble for a swing vote from non-native Kisumu residents referred to as the Oluwo Reru.

Also in the race are Nyanza North Football Kenya Federation chairman and Gor Mahia national vice-chair George Ong’udi, Mr Richard Ogendo, Mr Bob Madanji, Mr Ochieng’ Ajulu and Mr Zubedi Liete.

The constituency is ranked as one of the areas with the highest number of registered voters in Nyanza.

It has 95,644 voters, according to the latest statistics by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.

EXPERT'S VIEW
During the March 4, 2013 elections, Mr Obura got 48,195 votes against his closest challenger, Mr Omar, who garnered 31,437 on a Ford Kenya ticket.

Out of the 10 aspirants, Mr Ooro is yet to declare his party of choice while Mr Liete will try for the Jubilee Party ticket as the rest seek the ODM ticket.

Mr Ooro, who has been conducting door-to-door campaigns, says he hopes to vie on a “friendlier” party or as an independent candidate, hoping to benefit from disgruntled ODM members after party primaries.

However, Mr Obura has maintained that he still has what it takes for re-election despite being branded a mole.

“Those claiming I will defect are dreaming. I am in ODM to stay,” he said.

“I am confident I will triumph over my opponents and go for a second term.”

Analysts told Nation that the race, though hotly contested, may only play in favour of ODM loyalists.

Should this be the case, Mr Obura’s chances of reclaiming the seat will be an uphill task, according to Mr Tom Mboya, a political science lecturer at Maseno University.

He opines that the contest may play out in the favour of some leaders.

“That means we rule out Ken Obura in the race. For someone like Onyango Oloo, things may equally not work out for him owing to his previous association with the Jubilee government. Nobody is willing to trust him despite joining the race in a big way,” said Mr Mboya.

Kisumu Central ODM Chairman Seth Ochieng’ and Treasurer Edward Ogolla say those seeking the party’s ticket must have participated actively in party affairs in the past six months.

“The party needs money. Let them just pay the nomination fees but when they finally come to us, we will judge them by whatever contribution they have made to the party at the grassroots level,” Mr Ochieng’ said.

Mr Ogolla said: “We don’t see the chances of Mr Obura’s re-election because he has not stood with us for the past years. On a scale of one to 10, I think we will award him a zero.”

INTERNAL ACTIVITES
Mr Ochieng’ said members who had participated actively in party matters like the anti-IEBC demonstrations in April and May would have an added advantage.

Yesterday, Mr Madanji said he would ensure revival of stalled industries if elected to boost youth employment.

“Kisumu is the East African Community hub and I will ensure we obtain a city charter and partner with county governments for economic development,” he said.

Mr Ong’udi said the people of Kisumu must elect a local leader who shares common problems with the natives and not outsiders who only come to seek for votes and leave for Nairobi.

Mr Ouda said he will be committed to economic empowerment of his people after assuming office.

Mr Nyagudi will be banking on his post as the director of E-Fundraising and Resource Mobilisation for Mr Odinga to endear himself to the voters.

Mr Odinga appointed him to the position in March.