Raila Odinga at Migori County Stadium
By MN Reporter
NASA strategists were forced to cancel at last minute the venue for people assembly meeting from Migori to Homa Bay over what is said to be rivalry between local leaders.
It is said the infighting among the top contenders for the governor position in Migori in the August 8 election cost the county’s chance of holding the historic event.
The election saw Okoth Obado reelected as the governor but his rival Ochilo Ayacko petitioned the win.
On Saturday, Raila led other NASA leaders Kalonzo Musyoka and Musalia Mudavadi to have the last meeting in Homa Bay county stadium which brought together people’s assemblies from Migori, Homa Bay, Kisumu and Siaya counties.
“We planned the meeting at Migori, but because the local leaders there were fighting each other I called Jakodondo (an alias used by Homa Bay governor Cyprian Awiti) to help us with a venue,” Raila told the huge crowd before he started the addressed.
Raila said the meeting was important for the Luo community and symbolized Jesus Christ’s last meeting with disciples before he was crucified.
But the rivalry among Migori leaders played out when it was time for the county to table their resolution.
ODM organizing secretary Joseph Nyambori, who is in Obado camp was stopped from issuing the statement as the two teams scuffled and exchanged of words leaving Raila and his guest shocked.
This forced Homa Bay town MP Opondo Kaluma, who was the host to intervene and consult with Nyanza region NASA coordinator Bob Madanje who gave Nyambori the green light to read the statement.
“I was the one who was to represent the county, the other team lead by ODM party chairman Philip Makabong’o and secretary general Joseph Olala was not to. I read the statement as Migori county NASA coordinator,” Nyambori said.
Nyambori blamed the division in the county on officials allied to Ayacko adding that “ODM party does not have Independent party department in it.”
The rivalry is however set to continue as Orange House is said to have recognized Nyambori’s camp through a letter while Makabong’os team was elected and offered with certificates.
Migori ODM youth leader Eric Opany who was among youths who tried to stop Nyambori said Olala was to issue the statement.
“We came knowing Olala was to issue the statement, we tried to raise our issues but we stopped as we will solve it back home,” Opany said.
Opany called on Orange House to move with speed and end the impasse as time of politics is over and the party should be strengthened.
Opany said it was unfortunate that Migori missed the golden chance to host the meeting, but said plans are in full gear to attend the tuesday Nairobi event.
