Ikolomani: Why ODM lost to New Ford Kenya

By Allan Kisia and Roselyne ObalaA party to celebrate Dr Bonny Khalwale's victory in Ikolomani by-election may have exposed ODM MPs who were not fully behind their party candidate in last month’s by-elections.
Four ODM MPs attended the homecoming fete held at Malinya Grounds in Ikolomani last Saturday.

From left, host Bonny Khalwale, Manyala Keya, Soita Shitanda, William Ruto and Eugene Wamalwa arrive at Malinya grounds in Ikolomani during Khalwale’s victory celebration party. Keya and Emuhaya MP Wilbur Otichillo had spearheaded campaigns for ODM party candidate Bernard Shinali, who lost to Khalwale. Photo: Benjamin Sakwa/Standard

Gender Assistant minister Manyala Keya, who is the legislator for Lurambi and his Emuhaya counterpart Wilbur Otichillo were among ODM MPs from Western Province who turned up.
Eldoret North MP William Ruto and his Eldama Ravine counterpart Moses Lessonet were present as were 12 ODM civic leaders from Vihiga County.
In their speeches, Keya and Otichillo indicated that they did not grace the homecoming just to congratulate Khalwale for the victory, but also to celebrate his triumph.
Ironically, Keya and Otichillo spearheaded campaigns for ODM party candidate Bernard Shinali. The two had during the campaigns criss-crossed the constituency accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi, the MP for Sabatia.
Soon after the May 23 polls, Shinyalu MP Justus Kizito, who was in the frontline campaigning for the party said ODM lost the seat because of wrangling forces from within.
Scheme hatchedKizito claimed a scheme had been hatched to portray Mudavadi as a weak politician who could not consolidate the Luyha vote and thus be a challenger or running mate to Prime Minister Raila.
He said the party could not have won because some ODM MPs were not fully behind their candidate.
Mudavadi, who is the most senior politician in Western, pitched tent in the constituency during the campaign period hoping to deliver one more seat for his party.
Speaking in reaction to the weekend’s move by Keya and Otichillo, Mudavadi reiterated that he had nothing to say about the two.
"It is entirely up to the electorate to make their own judgements," Mudavadi told The Standard on the telephone.
While addressing a mammoth crowd in Malinya at the weekend, Keya thanked Ikolomani voters for the decision they made on May 23.
"You noticed I was very careful with my words when I was campaigning for my party candidate," he added, provoking laughter and rounds of applause from the crowd.
Keya further said he is a son of Ikolomani and that some of his relatives come from the constituency.
"If you fight with your brother and he beats you, you shake his hands and support him," he added.
Otichillo told the crowd he was in Ikolomani to celebrate the May 23 victory.
"I want to congratulate locals for re-electing Dr Khalwale," he said.
The MP said locals made the right choice because Khalwale speaks for all ordinary Kenyans and not just for the people of Ikolomani.
Others who attended the homecoming included Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Cabinet Minister Soita Shitanda and MPs William Kabogo, Jamleck Kamau, Ferdinand Waititu, Kambi Kazungu, Eugene Wamalwa and Cyrus Jirongo.
Former MPs Mark Too, Kalembe Ndile and Omingo Magara and politicians Stanley Livondo and Tony Gachoka also graced the event.
Some ODM MPs from Western who did not appear in Ikolomani for the campaigns included Nambale MP Chris Okemo, Khwisero legislator Evans Akula, and his Mumias counterpart Ben Washiali.
Agents not genuineMatungu MP David Were appeared in Ikolomani the day Prime Minister Raila Odinga commissioned the Sigalagala-Butere-Sidindi Road. Were is also the chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Transport.
Sources had indicated that as elections approached, debate raged in ODM on whether it should field a candidate, woo Khalwale to ODM or support him in New Ford Kenya.
Some party members felt they needed to support Khalwale, who was promising to work with ODM.
ODM lost the seat to New Ford Kenya in a region it considers its stronghold as it has 18 legislators out of the 24.
Some ODM MPs, however, came out to say the defeat was not a blow to the party as the seat belonged to New Ford Kenya before the by-election was called.
Kizito added that some party agents and co-ordinators were not genuine, as they never voted.
A polling centre like Shivagala record a zero vote for the ODM candidate yet the party had agents there. The location branch chairman and other officials were voters at the polling station.
Dismal performanceODM also performed dismally in other areas where local party officials cast their votes.
Speaking at the weekend, Shitanda said Western will no longer rally behind other people.
"We will not entertain people who look for followers. We are equals and can do it," he said.
Ruto said Mudavadi should not excuse himself from going for the presidency on grounds that Western is not united. He thanked Wamalwa for declaring his interest to go for the presidency.
Lessonet urged residents of Western Province to support Wamalwa’s presidential ambitions and rally behind New Ford Kenya.
"We have Ruto, Eugene and Uhuru. We will pick one of them to go for the top seat," he added.
Kazungu said Western can also produce the country’s next president in 2012.
"ODM is dead. Let us unite and support one of the three (Uhuru, Ruto and Wamalwa)," Kazungu added.
He said the 2012 journey for the three began with the victory in Ikolomani.
Jirongo said victory by New Ford Kenya in Ikolomani redeemed the respect of Western.
"Let’s remain united because we cannot seek the support of other regions when divided," he added.
Khalwale said Western people should not wait for Raila to give them direction.
"ODM I respect you but I have floored you twice. Let the top leadership tell us what they have done for Western," he added.