Stage set for the succession battle to fill Kajwang’s shoes

Mourners watch as the coffin bearing the late Homa Bay Senator Otieno Kajwang's body is lowered into the grave on November 28, 2014. The heroic send-off of Senator Kajwang’ has finally set the stage for a gigantic succession battle and complex permutations for Orange Democratic Movement. PHOTO | TOM OTIENO |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• The massive crowd that turned up both at Uhuru Park in Nairobi, Kenyatta sports ground in Kisumu all the way to Waondo through Katito, Kendu Bay and Homa Bay is testimony of the massive support he enjoyed.
• Mr Odinga implored the people of Homa Bay County to identify a suitable replacement who must be a party loyalist.

By MAURICE KALUOCH
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The heroic send-off of Homa Bay Senator Otieno Kajwang’ has finally set the stage for a gigantic succession battle and complex permutations for Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

The battle will not only be confined to the senatorial seat but also the ODM party branch chairmanship that the late Kajwang’ also held.

Reading from events held and utterances made after Kajwang’s death up until he was buried, it is clear that the late senator was not just an ordinary ODM member.

The massive crowd that turned up both at Uhuru Park in Nairobi, Kenyatta sports ground in Kisumu all the way to Waondo through Katito, Kendu Bay and Homa Bay is testimony of the massive support he enjoyed.

A former chairman of the defunct South Nyanza County Council Mzee Akech Chieng said that Mr Kajwang’s death had evoked the memories of the death of the late Minister Tom Joseph Mboya.

With such a profile, it is clear that those keen on taking over from him must command unquestionable respect and loyalty to ODM.

PARTY LOYALIST
That the late Kajwang’s seat will simply not be dished out was best illustrated by Cord leader Raila Odinga’s remark at Waondo Primary School.

Mr Odinga implored the people of Homa Bay County to identify a suitable replacement who must be a party loyalist.

What he appeared to hint at is that the position of senate was not a Mbita or Suba affair, the two dominant constituencies in Homa Bay.

The remark appeared to go against the 2013 pre-election pact by the people of Homa bay County.

Under the arrangement, the larger Rachuonyo that comprise Karachuonyo and Kasipul-Kabondo constituencies had the governor’s slot currently held by Cyprian Awiti.

The larger Homa Bay region which has Rangwe, Homa Bay Town and Ndhiwa constituencies was got the post of County Woman MP currently held by Mrs Gladys Wanga.

CONTESTERS
Suba region of Mbita and Suba constituencies held the senate seat.

In case the arrangement stays intact the battle to succeed the late Kajwang’ in the senate would just be among the natives of Suba.

Those who are likely to contest the seat are Suba MP John Mbadi, a former aide Caroli Omondi, a former managing Trustee of National Social Security Fund Fred Rabongo, Sam Wakiaga and former Gwasi MP Felix Nyauchi.

But Friday’s statement by Mr Odinga has raised the stakes and could see the entry into the race by youthful businessman Hillary Alila.

Mr Alila came second to Kajwang’ in 2013 both at the ODM primaries and at the General Election.