Shun rally dancers seeking seats in 2022 polls, Wandayi tells Siaya voters

Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi at a past function. He is yet to declare his interest in Siaya governor race, but his supporters are said to be pushing him to go for the seat in 2022. [Standard]

Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi has cautioned Siaya residents against electing 'best rally dancers' with very little to offer in leadership positions only to turn around and blame it on the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.

The Parliamentary Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman told voters to be very keen this time round when electing their governor and go for leaders who have development records unlike in the past.

Wandayi who is being rumoured to be eyeing the Siaya governor’s seat currently held by Cornel Rasanga, said those interested in succeeding Governor Rasanga must show the people what they have done for Siaya County.

While speaking in Simenya Secondary School where he inspected development projects, Wandayi said Siaya voters must ensure only leaders with exemplary development records are elected to senior positions, not those dancing on top of tables in rallies.

He challenged elected leaders in the county not to channel their energy on unnecessary political bickering and instead focus on service delivery to the people, which he said, was their core mandate in office.

"People will come to you in 2022, some of them you already know. They will come here to dance on top of tables, asking you to give them a chance to manage taxpayers’ money in that office, but when you look at their development track record, it's pathetic," he claimed.

He challenged voters to make a wise decision so that they don’t blame the party for imposing a candidate on them.

“Our people choose best podium dancers before turning around to blame the party for the mess,” he said.

Wandayi warned that it will be a tough battle that will require all interested parties to show their agendas and development track records to the people.

"I have not declared anything and I will not as at now but as a stakeholder in this county, I will not sit back and watch that seat being played with. Anyone who thinks it will be an easy ride or joke is mistaken. I am not talking about anyone but whoever feels the shoe fits, should wear it," he warned.

Our turn

Formation of political camps is in the offing as leaders position themselves for the succession politics.

Sources told the Standard that Wandayi, a close ally of ODM leader Raila Odinga is under pressure from his supporters to go for the seat.

They argue that it was time for Ugenya clan to produce the next governor after Rasanga who hailed from Alego -Usonga.

"The next governor must come from Ugenya.  We supported the Alego people in 2017 and it is their turn to support us. Rasanga must endorse our son Wandayi," said Joakim Omollo an ODM activist.

But while touring projects in East Ugenya, Rasanga told residents he will guide them on who to elect in 2022.

Rasanga argued that being the holder of the county seat, he understands how the office operates.

"When I come back to you, I will not be vying for any position but will ask you to vote for a certain candidate. I can tell who will be good for this seat and I know that you will all listen to me," he said.

So far, only former Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo who also vied for the seat in 2017, has declared interest in the seat.

Gumbo lost to Rasanga in 2017.

Other leaders said to be eyeing the seat but are yet to declare their interest publicly include Senator James Orengo, Deputy Governor James Okumbe and Gideon Ochanda (Bondo).