ODM on high alert as Jubilee ignites raid on key stronghold

Jubilee Party members Charles Nyachae (right) and Nyacheki Ward County Assembly aspirant Maxwell Magoma on the last day of campaigns on October 24,2016.  (Photo: Denish Ochieng/ Standard)

A fresh political battle is looming in Kisii and Nyamira counties as ODM marshals its troops to stop Jubilee's fresh onslaught.

Two weeks after Jubilee Party unveiled a presidential campaign team for the two Gusii counties and swore to turn the region into a Jubilee zone, the Orange party is fighting to lock them out of the region where CORD leader Raila Odinga beat President Uhuru Kenyatta in the 2013 elections.

Buoyed by victory in recent Nyacheki Ward by-election and a successful move to woo back MPs Richard Onyonka and Simon Ogari who had crossed over to Jubilee, ODM is laying strategies to tighten its grip on the region.

Already, the Jubilee team, led by former Chairman of the Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution (CIC) Charles Nyachae, has hit the ground running. Assisting Nyachae are former Assistant Minister and ODM nominated MP for East Africa Legislative Assembly Joseph Kiangoi and Kisii Deputy Governor Joash Maangi.

Kiangoi exuded confidence, saying the Jubilee team was sure of turning tables on ODM.

"Jubilee is the party to beat in Gusii land. My strong belief is that people benefit more when they support the Government of the day. I supported ODM hopping they will form the government, but I don't want to take chances by not guiding our people to Jubilee," said Kiangoi, who is eyeing the Nyamira senatorial seat.

In the 2013 elections, Raila got 95,596 votes (66 per cent) of the vote in Nyamira against President Kenyatta's 54,071. In Kisii, Raila had 236,831 ( 68 per cent) against Uhuru's 95,596.

Early this year, Kiangoi led a delegation of more than 3,000 people to Deputy President William Ruto's Eldoret home, a move that announced his exit from the opposition. Prior to declaring war against the opposition, he held several meetings with President Kenyatta at State House.

Kiangoi will lead Jubilee campaigns in Nyamira alongside County Assembly Speaker Joash Nyamoko, aspiring Woman Representative Jerusha Momanyi and aspiring Governor Enrneo Nyakiba.

Nyamoko is eyeing the North Mugirango parliamentary seat against youthful incumbent Charles Geni, who is also the constituency ODM chairman. Mr Geni and ODM National Treasurer Timothy Bosire are CORD's leading lights in the county.

"We will not be swayed by Jubilee's false promises to the people of Gusii. All the individuals they have appointed as their campaign leaders have not been mandated by the people. We defeated them in 2013 and we will repeat the same in 2017," said Geni.

ODM insists its support in Gusii is not at stake. "The opposition will remain strong and steadfast in Gusii," said Bosire.

 According to Kisii Governor James Ongwae, ODM has gained enough ground for the 2017 elections.

"We are much stronger than we were in 2013. We have already sent out a clear message that the community is still in ODM," said Ongwae.

Former Kisii mayor and Kitutu Chache South parliamentary aspirant Samuel Omwando believes the community will not be swayed by false Government promises.

"We are no longer a swing vote. We will cast all our votes for ODM because we believe in the party ideals. We have a strong youth support unlike in 2013 when we had few registered youths," said Omwando.

Nominated Senator Janet Ongera said the Jubilee campaign team in Kisii cannot be trusted. "They are bound to fail because they lack goodwill from the community," she said.

But Kisii Senator and Jubilee point man in the region, Chris Obure, has dismissed ODM's win in Nyacheki. "The win should not be used as a litmus test. The mini-poll has been used to dupe residents that the same will be replicated in coming polls," he said.

Obure is eyeing Kisii governorship seat.

Maangi, who was among leaders expelled from ODM recently for decamping to Jubilee, said they had laid down new strategies and the big battle for Gusii votes had just begun.

"As team leaders, our core mandate is bringing together everyone. We have invited all the active members of Jubilee for a consultative meeting this week where we will discuss our campaign strategy," he said.

The Jubilee team is keen to woo Privatisation Commission Chairman Henry Obwocha, UN-Habitat Ambassador Sam Ongeri, former Kisii Mayor Samuel Nyangeso and KICC Chairman Omingo Magara to its side.

But Prof Ongeri and Magara have in the past few months been close to Governor Ongwae and are seen to be leaning towards CORD.

Bobasi MP Stephene Manoti and his Bomachoge counterpart Joel Onyancha are among the leading lights expected at the crucial meeting.

In his monthly press conference, Maangi said they will incorporate more Jubilee friendly leaders in the campaigns.

 Political analysts say the scramble for the Gusii vote will depend on how the government fulfils its promises.

"Leaders selling the Jubilee agenda must involve other stakeholders. ODM got over 70 per cent of votes in the region in 2013 and this should worry Jubilee. With the right strategy, however, it can pull a surprise," said lawyer Ogamba Migosi.