The results in the just concluded Ugenya Constituency by-elections may be a pointer to the new voting patterns in Luo Nyanza.
While the ODM candidate principally relied on the ODM tag and the Raila Amollo Odinga ‘blessings’, the eventual winner Hon David Ochieng was focused on selling his development agenda.
Not only did he talk about what he would do but he also preached about what he had done in the last term. Here it seems that the residents weren’t concerned about the party. They were interested in development and sound policies.
The biggest letdown in the ODM campaign was Senator James Orengo who was busy chanting Tibim and Tialala while the opponent was talking development. What made Orengo more of a liability is the fact that he has served in various leadership positions in Ugenya and beyond with nothing to show in terms of development.
Not even a cattle dip in his village. It’s informative that the ODM candidate lost even in Orengo’s polling station.
What does this say of Luo Nyanza politics? I see a change in attitude and voting trends. Gone are the days when one would merely mention Raila’s name and get elected. The people need to see what you’ve done on the ground and what you further intend to do.
Not rhetoric and dancing to Ohangla. Not talking about drinking Uji with Jakom every evening. That’s gone!
I see the likes of John Mbadi whose development agenda is titled ‘How to bulldoze in ODM’, Fred Ouda whose development agenda is titled ‘How to Strip’, Sam Atandi whose agenda is titled ‘Party Sycophancy comes before my people’ and James Orengo whose development agenda is titled ‘Nothing’ losing out.
The people will be more interested in the likes of Otiende Amollo, a promising highly intelligent lawyer who if Orengo doesn’t watch out, is going to take over from him soon. Others include Gladys Wanga, Mark Nyamita, Olago Aluoch, Jared Okello and Opiyo Wandayi