THE DISDAIN FOR INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES IN HOMABAY COUNTY IS BAFFLING TO THE CORE
By: Jerameel Kevins Odhiambo Owuor
Worth Noting:
- Orange Democratic Movement Chairperson he advocated for Azimio One Kenya Coalition Presidential Candidate Right Honorable Raila Amollo Odinga; which to me was right for he has all the right to advocate for his favorite presidential candidate.
- In Nyanza after all Right Honorable Raila Odinga has massive support for this his bedrock and his tuff. This has been demonstrated for the many times that Orange Democratic Movement Party Leader Raila Odinga has vied for the Presidential post in the past general elections. Thus, it comes as no surprise.
- Back to the Chairperson of ODM in Kabondo Kasipul, he started on a right tone then to me he decided now to give disparaging remarks while still advocating for his party Orange Democratic Movement Party. He decided in his own wisdom or lack of it (with heavy emphasis on the latter) to make uncalled for remarks on independent candidates.
Last week on Saturday I found myself in a kind of political rally by default. Hear me out why I reason as such. Last Saturday I was prepared psychologically to have time with my creator that is to worship and fellowship in short; while in church the elders happened to tell us that we are expecting some visitors. Definitely I knew that the so called visitors were going to be politicians. This is because I saw some members belonging to one of the political groups. I did not expect this but it was beyond my control at this level.
The program continued as usual. During the divine service the incumbent Member of Parliament Honorable Eve Obara arrived with her battalion and were ushered to the area that was designated for them by the ushers and elders. To my surprise even the pastor while preaching had to recognize her. Regardless, the pastor continued to with his preaching but he had to cut short his sermon which he was building on. This was because he had to adhere to the schedule he was given initially by the Member of Parliament handlers who organized her coming. At exactly 12:20 pm the Preacher was done and ushered the Member of Parliament and her battalion to address the worshippers.
Now, this is the crux of this paper, hear me out. The Elders then invited the Campaign coordinator to invite speakers from the Member of Parliament battalion who seemed to have been briefed on what to say to worshippers or rather masses. The first Speaker was the Orange Democratic Movement Chairperson. From my end the said person spoke gutter rubbish and I maintain that. Given an opportunity he ought to have measured his words and as well he ought to have taken notice of where he was. Unfortunately, this man decided to be him and embarked on uttering disparaging remarks in church.
His introductory bit was rather peaceful but as he progressed on he decided to talk as he felt was good to him. He notified the worshippers that by virtue that he was Orange Democratic Movement Chairperson he advocated for Azimio One Kenya Coalition Presidential Candidate Right Honorable Raila Amollo Odinga; which to me was right for he has all the right to advocate for his favorite presidential candidate. In Nyanza after all Right Honorable Raila Odinga has massive support for this his bedrock and his tuff. This has been demonstrated for the many times that Orange Democratic Movement Party Leader Raila Odinga has vied for the Presidential post in the past general elections. Thus, it comes as no surprise. Back to the Chairperson of ODM in Kabondo Kasipul, he started on a right tone then to me he decided now to give disparaging remarks while still advocating for his party Orange Democratic Movement Party. He decided in his own wisdom or lack of it (with heavy emphasis on the latter) to make uncalled for remarks on independent candidates.
He noted that Former Prime Minister Honorable Raila Odinga has a party that is Orange Democratic Movement Party. Thus according to him all those to be elected in the constituency should be of the same party as the Azimio Presidential candidate Right Honorable Raila Odinga. In a bid to woe the worshippers he termed Independent Candidates as thieves who deserve not to be given any chance for leadership. However he advised the worshippers to just take bribes from the independent candidates and not to vote for them in the upcoming August polls. Hearing this from someone who calls himself a Chairperson of a political party was really disheartening but was expected. As if that is not enough he went on a spree to call Independent Candidates despicable names right in front of the altar. I was embarrassed on his behalf.
The second speaker who was called as well advocated for six piece voting and as well viewed Independent Candidates as those who in to spoil for Right Honorable Raila Amollo Odinga for the latter has a party. The third, fourth, fifth and sixth speaker in a similar manner tainted the garments of Independent candidates who were vying in the region to be specific enough Kabondo Kasipul Constituency as a whole. This begets the question have these folks been able to have a date with the grund norm, in simpler term Constitution? And what does the Constitution states on matters those vying for the various political seats around the nation? Do they have a memo on the same? I am convinced beyond reasonable doubts that the speakers who spoke last Saturday are just puppets of the Orange Democratic Movement Party and their grey matter perhaps isn’t of use to them and should be donated to those who need the same.
The Member of Parliament for Kabondo Kasipul Honorable Eve Obara in a similar manner joined the bandwagon but rather in a more motherly way which perhaps to some was convincing. She called for six piece voting in the area from the presidential level up to the lowest level which is the Member of County Assembly position. He reasoning of the same though convincing was below the threshold for me. You can’t just view that those vying on Independent ticket are the enemy of the people. After all what is the same people decide to vote for the Independent Candidates wholesomely where will they be able to hide their ugly faces? I found that the sentiments of Honorable Eve Obara and her team denote lack of clear comprehension of the Constitution.
Now let me educate these folks; the Constitution talks of sovereignty of the people. The people are supreme and can alter the Constitution and as well be able to choose leaders that they deem fit. Moreover, in the new Constitutional dispensation one can vie as an Independent Candidate or under a political party. It is allowed in law. The decision as to the choice of the two vehicles stated above definitely is one’s choice. Let it go on record that Orange Democratic Movement Party did not hold nominations for Members of Parliament in the region. It is known that having ODM ticket on any seat is a guarantee of winning elections. As well the Orange Democratic Movement party conducted a sham nomination for Members of County Assembly. It is against this backdrop that those disgruntled decided to vie as Independent Candidates.
In a nutshell, Orange Democratic Movement Party honchos and pundits should get to know that vying as Independent Candidate is enshrined in law succinctly that is the Constitution and no one can take that right form anybody. The same folks should know that elections are all about competition of ideas and not dependent on what political party I associate myself to. Let them note that wholly. Vilification of Independent Candidates is uncalled for. Homabay County folks should be able to contain themselves and talk on matters ideas and interests of the masses. To their surprise, those Independent Candidates that they are castigating can be voted in by the people. Let that be encoded in their thick three pound grey matter. That is all from my end.
Jerameel Kevins Owuor Odhiambo is a law student at University of Nairobi, Parklands Campus. He regularly comments on social, contemporary, legal and political issues. He can be contacted on kevinsjerameel@gmail.com
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