Battle of wits as Jubilee and ODM candidates clash in Kisumu Senate contest

Kisumu Senate aspirants Tom Ojienda and Enos Okolo.

The battle to represent Kisumu County in the Senate has been reduced to a two-horse race of professors.

Armed with their academic qualifications, the two hopefuls battling for the seat also come from the same clan.

One is a heavyweight within the corridors of justice and is among the country’s top legal minds while the other is an educationist with a long history in research.

They share the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya  dream and hail from Nyakach but are now engaged in an intense sibling rivalry.

Although veteran lawyer Prof Tom Ojienda of ODM and Jubilee’s Prof Enos Okolo are newcomers in politics, they are all confident of clinching the seat.

They are confident of effectively transitioning into the murky world of politics and have intensified their campaigns in recent days as they seek to convince voters to elect them.

The two professors will be battling it out for Kisumu County’s 606, 754 votes. Incumbent Senator Fred Outa is not defending the seat.

In an interview with The Standard, Outa claimed that he is taking leave in politics but will make a comeback “in future”. The ODM nominations in April attracted career politicians, including Nominated Senator Rose Nyamunga and former Assistant minister Ayiecho Olweny.

In the primaries, Professor Ojienda was declared the winner after garnering 39,336 votes. His closest competitor Nyamunga garnered 18,319 votes. He hopes to replicate that performance against Prof Okolo on August 9.

Some residents believe that whoever clinches the seat, it will be a win-win for them. They argue that Kisumu will be represented by a capable mind in the Senate given that the race has been sieved into a battle of top academics.

Among the issues that have been tipped to define the race include party choice, plans for the devolved unit and popularity of the candidates, especially among the county’s clans.

Although it is only a matter of days before the country heads to the polls, Prof Okolo believes that ODM should back the Jubilee because the ruling party has also not fielded a candidate for governor in Kisumu.

For Prof Ojienda, however, his supporters believe his choice of ODM which is considered the strongest party in the region is the icing on the cake, with his supporters confident that he will clinch the seat.

Oversight role

A lawyer with more than 20 years of experience, Prof Ojienda believes he is in a race to improve the representation and oversight of the devolved unit.

In the last one week, the lawyer has been traversing the county in what his team describes as a meet the people tour. He has also been campaigning for Azimio flag bearer Raila Odinga.

 “I am also in fully the race. We have to transform the leadership of this county,” said Prof Ojienda. It remains to be seen if the lawyer will successfully transition his success in the courts to the rugged political scene. 

Addressing hundreds of supporters at Gita last week, Prof Ojienda supported calls for the six-piece voting in favour of ODM candidates, arguing that Raila needs loyal troops. He has been campaigning alongside ODM candidates in the region.

He also promised to lobby for more funds from the national government to help ensure the county government is well resourced.

At 73, Prof Okolo says he has the experience and expertise needed for the Senate seat. He is a professor in Agriculture and resigned from Eden Adan University in Somaliland to contest the seat.

The candidate says he stands a good chance given his educational background, international contacts as well as grassroots support.

He claims his number one agenda will be to ensure food security. Being an Agricultural scientist, he says he will ensure the lake region has adequate foods.

“I would like to go to the Senate to fight this food dilemma. I will also educate residents on the importance of improved production systems and responsible land use,” said Prof Okolo.

He says suing his expertise in science and agriculture, he will initiate a regional dialogue which that will lead to better exploitation of water towers and Lake Victoria.

“If Kenya isn’t careful, the lake will become extinct over time as a result of negligence and pollution. My plan is to prevent that from ever happening.”

“I have lived with the people and been a part of their challenges for decades. I can say confidently that I understand local problems better than my opponent,” he said.

He added: “I feel sad whenever I see graduates doing menial jobs yet I can remedy the situation through better policies.”

Prof Okolo claims he will push for the adoption of carbon credits for farmers in the region. He says the move will contribute to better agricultural practices.