Otieno Kajwang now comes out fighting

By RUSHDIE OUDIA

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Kenya: Homa Bay Senator and former Immigration Minister Otieno Kajwang’ publicly prides himself as a loyal backer of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. But critics claim he blew away the opportunity of boosting the Orange party leader’s chances of clinching the presidency last year by denying youths in ODM strongholds national IDs when he was in-charge of the immigration docket.

Instead, they allege, the Homa Bay County Senator liberally dished out the ID cards to youths from regions where Raila’s political opponents hail. Some politicians further claim that his office issued ID cards and Kenyan passports to scores of illegal immigrants, leaving out those who most deserved.

To register as a voter, one must be in possession of a national ID card. Despite being a strong presidential contender in last year’s polls, Raila’s strongholds in Nyanza, Western and Coastal regions experienced a relatively low voter registration and turnout.  Kajwang has, however, come out fighting, saying he tried his best to ensure many youths were registered and were eligible to vote.

Slept on the job?

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero    recently fired a salvo, accusing Kajwang of sleeping on his job when he was at the helm of the ministry.

Speaking in Migori County during a funds drive, Kidero said his (Kajwang’s) juniors made sure that people in Rift Valley and Central regions were registered almost 100 per cent by being issued with identity cards while less than 40 per cent of residents of Nyanza were issued with the same.

This, Kajwang refutes, daring any youth that followed due process, applied in good time, inquired and waited for 60 days but failed to get an ID to come out. “This is mere propaganda to taint my name and shift the blame to my tenure as a minister,” he added.

The Homa Bay Senator stressed that he went out of his way by visiting every constituency in Nyanza to advocate for mobile registration service. He, instead, accused the Government of thwarting his efforts through the little funding he got.

Kajwang said he initiated the electronic registration that was recently launched by the Deputy President William Ruto. “I started this project when I was still a minister with the introduction of the new generation ID whose aim was to kill forgery by unscrupulous people,” said Kajwang.

Kajwang said the project had reached an advanced stage but was thwarted twice after tendering by powerful forces including businessmen with vested interests.

He said Treasury was a stumbling block even after the process reached the procurement stage.

“Those accusing me under performing and not ensuring that Nyanza youth acquired ID cards before March 4 General Election are insincere,” said Kajwang. He called on the local leaders to urge the youth to register as voters early instead of the last minute rush.

Former Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim concurs with Kidero that Kajwang’ indeed failed the ODM campaign by not issuing enough IDs “to our supporters to enable us win the election”. 

“But I cannot blame my brother because he may not have been fully in charge. Instead, it is a powerful director in his office, who was dishing out ID cards daily to youths in the mountain region,” Maalim claimed recently in a live TV show. 

Nyatike MP Omondi Anyanga said instead of a futile blame game, ODM leaders should seek ways and means of ensuring the party clinches the presidency in 2017.

“Anyone focusing on the past is missing the point. Let us look forward and mobilise our supporters to register as voters, instead of crying over spilt milk,” Anyanga told The Standard on Sunday.

He went on: “Accusing each other in the press, in rallies and in funerals will not take us anywhere,” adding as ODM’s undisputed presidential candidate in 2017, Raila should be supported by action and not just political rhetoric.