ODM candidate in the Homa Bay Senate seat by-election, Moses Kajwang, at
the Homa Bay Referral Hospital on January 30, 2015 where he was treated
for a head wound after youths threw stones at a funeral. PHOTO |
MAURICE KALUOCH | NATION MEDIA GROUP
The ODM candidate for the Homa Bay Senate by-election, Moses
Kajwang’, was on Friday injured when rival supporters fought at a
funeral.
The violence, coming only a day before top
Cord leaders Moses Wetang’ula and Kalonzo Musyoka arrive to lead the
coalition’s campaigns, left scores others injured.
Mr
Kajwang’ was hit on the head when youths threw stones and other objects
at the dais where he was standing next to Homa Bay Women Representative
Gladys Wanga.
He was later taken to Homa Bay Referral Hospital where he was treated and discharged.
The
youths who were chanting slogans in praise of Maendeleo Democratic
Party flag bearer Phillip Okundi and waving his posters were trying to
prevent the ODM candidate and MPs, who included his brother TJ Kajwang’
(Ruaraka) from addressing the mourners.
Mr Okundi was not at the funeral.
The
heckling started after Rangwe MP George Oner, who was master of
ceremonies, invited his Ruaraka counterpart to make a speech.
In response, ODM supporters started singing songs in praise of their candidate and the party.
Undeterred
by the jeering from the pro-Okundi group, Mr Kajwang’ continued with
his address in which he accused some politicians of hiring youths to
disrupt the funeral.
“We did not come here to show our
political might. I know this is Mr Okundi’s home turf but it is wrong to
heckle others because you will also visit other parts of the county to
look for votes,” he said.
The politicians were attending the funeral of Agnes Atieno Makdwallo, secretary to the Homa Bay County Public Service Board.
LEAD THE HUNT FOR VOTES
And
as campaigns for the February 12 by-election intensify, Mr Musyoka and
Mr Wetang’ula will on Saturday lead the hunt for votes for Mr Kajwang’.
The
two leaders, who will be joined by Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya,
will address meetings earlier in the day before holding a rally at Homa
Bay Stadium.
The two are scheduled to address more campaign rallies on Sunday.
Mr Oparanya will start the campaigns in Chabera and traverse the county towards Homa Bay Town.
“We
ask our supporters to come out and meet their leaders; we ask them to
maintain peace as well as extend an olive branch to our worthy rivals,”
ODM candidate Kajwang’ said on Friday before the funeral violence.
On
Monday and Tuesday, Siaya Senator James Orengo and his Machakos
counterpart Johnstone Muthama will lead ODM supporters in campaigning
for Mr Kajwang’.
ODM leader Raila Odinga is also expected to pitch tent in the county for three days.
Mr Odinga will meet with elders and leaders from the region as well as address major rallies.
The
ODM candidate will fight it out with Mr Okundi, Fred Rabongo of the
National Agenda Party and Hillary Alila, an independent.
Also
in the race are independent candidates Innocent Masara, Luke Misama and
Edwin Matete as well as Bernard Otieno of the National Vision Party.
The by-election follows the death of Otieno Kajwang’, the older brother of the ODM candidate.
PERCEIVED REBELS
As
the campaigns hit the homestretch, ODM appears to be softening its
stance on disciplining perceived rebels. The party has instead extended
an olive branch to disgruntled leaders and has urged them to support Mr
Kajwang’.
Speaking at a rally on Thursday in
Karachuonyo constituency, John Mbadi and Deputy Minority Whip Jakoyo
Midiwo said there was still room for Karachuonyo MP James Rege and
others to “come back home”.
“Although our brothers went
against the Political Parties Act and even warned party leader Raila
Odinga not to step foot in Homa Bay County, there is still room to
forgive Mr Rege and his group,” said Mr Midiwo during the rally at Pala
market next to Mr Rege’s home.
“If Raila can campaign in Wajir, Tononoka in Mombasa and Busia, how can one warn him not to step in his home?” asked Mr Midiwo.
Mr Mbadi said there was no grudge against the fellow MPs but discipline must be maintained in the party.
“You cannot expect us to keep mum when you go against the party by openly campaigning for our opponents,” he said.
Mr Rege, Mr Oner and Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero are supporting Mr Okundi.
Mr
Mbadi and Midiwo revisited the 2013 election pact in Homa Bay and
asserted that there was no way the Homa Bay bloc, which already has
County Women MP Wanga could get the Senate slot.
“The
Rachuonyo bloc has Governor Cyprian Awiti and Speaker Samwel Ochilo,
Homa Bay bloc has Wanga and Deputy Speaker Hamilton Orata. For purposes
of regional balancing which is in the Constitution, the Senate should go
to the Suba bloc,” Mr Midiwo declared.
Leader of
Majority in Nairobi County Elisha Otieno said Cord MCAs had given
Governor Kidero “a yellow card” for supporting Mr Okundi.
“Although Kidero is our son, if by next week he fails to change his stance, then we will give him a red card,” he said.
Governor
Awiti said it was unfortunate that some selfish politicians wanted to
use the by-election as a launching pad for the 2017 General Election.
“As governor, I will not be distracted from carrying my mandate until 2017 when I will face them at the ballot,” he said.
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