Ndhiwa MP Agostinho Neto vows to contest as an independent

The bitter fallout triggered by controversial Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) primaries has ignited a fresh battle for Ndhiwa parliamentary seat after current MP Agostinho Neto, who lost in the nominations, said he will defend his seat as an independent candidate.

Mr Neto lost to Mr Martin Owino, a public health specialist who has served as a chief officer in various ministries in the Homa Bay County government.

After clinching the ticket, Mr Owino vowed to send the vocal lawmaker home with a claim that “residents have spoken” during the primaries.

Mr Owino is accusing the incumbent of dalliance with the Jubilee government and that he has not been loyal to ODM.

Mr Neto argues that his development record in the constituency speaks for itself.

OPENED NEW ROADS

He told the Nation he has opened several new roads in the constituency and also assisted several students get education because of his bursary scholarship scheme.

“I have opened several road networks in the constituency and awarded thousands of students’ bursaries to have them get education,” said the MP.

He rubbishes claims that he has links with the Jubilee government, terming the allegations as cheap and unfounded.

“Aspirants accusing me of being close to Jubilee government are desperate because they have no agenda for the constituents,” said Mr Neto

In the constituency, winning ODM ticket in the primaries is almost as good as winning in the General Election itself.

The MP’s critics have blamed him for what they term as slow development in the constituency.

LAUNCHING MANIFESTO

While launching his manifesto in Ndhiwa trading centre, Mr Owino yesterday faulted the MP’s claim of development projects in the constituency.

Mr Owino said that the few available projects in the constituency do not reflect value for money.

Mr Owino boasts of several health initiatives he began in the constituency during his tenure as chief health officer in the county.

Mr Joshua Orero, another aspirant who lost in the ODM primaries, has also faulted Mr Neto for doing little to change lives of the residents.

“The MP has done little in the constituency, he deserves no re-election,” said  Mr Orero.

Clan factor is also increasingly becoming a factor in the race. It is giving some candidates confidence that rallying their clans to support their bids will get them elected.

Mr Neto, who is from the populous Kabuoch clan is wooing the Kwabai, Kanyadoto and Kanyikela clans to back his re-election.

VOTE AS A BLOC
But Mr Owino, who is from the Kanyamwa clan, is confident of winning after unifying his clan to vote as a bloc.

Mr Owino has vied for the seat three times but has been unsuccessful due to clan politics.

Since the country attained its independence, the Kanyamwa clan has produced a single Member of Parliament who, however, was ousted before his term ended.

Mr Tom Obondo, a former MP in the constituency, resigned from his seat in 1994 to seek re-election when he joined Kanu. He lost the seat to the late Joshua Ojode.

Mr Ojode came from the Kwabai clan and votes from the clan will help determine the winner in the August 8 polls.

Mr Owino is confident of getting votes from Kwabai clan following support of Mr Otieno Ogingo, a former MP for the constituency who is a respected elder in the clan.

During the ODM nominations, the battle between Mr Orero and Mr Neto, who both hail from the Kabuoch clan, worked against their candidature as they divided the votes of the most populous clan in the constituency.