Midiwo tells Oburu to back off for Orengo

Written By:KNA,    Posted: Sat, Oct 27, 2012

Midiwo who is supporting Orengo argues the arrangement would save the party from internal wrangles. The battle for the post of senator in Siaya County intensified Saturday  with Gem Legislator Jakoyo Midiwo asking Assistant Minister for Finance Oburu Odinga to bow out in favour of Lands Minister James Orengo. Midiwo who is supporting Orengo's bid for senatorship in Siaya argues that this would save the party from internal wrangles. Five months to the country's General Election in March 2013 political aspirants continue to drum up support for their candidature with the current constitution creating new posts.  Lands Minister James Orengo who has since declared he will be contesting the Siaya Senatorship position on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket,   took his campaign to Bondo township. It was at the venue that Gem Legislator Jakoyo Midiwo openly rooted for Orengo's candidature, for the position also being eyed by Assistant Minister for Finance Oburu Odinga. The MPs used the venue to drum up support for their party leader Raila Odinga, who will be contesting for presidency, urging the locals to vote for a leader who will change their fortunes and spur development.   Jakoyo's backing of Orengo adds to the already complicated matrix given Oburu is the elder brother to ODM  party leader Raila Odinga while James Orengo a long time ally to Raila, and one of the key pillars that have been instrumental in the  Orange party politics. He said that time was ripe enough to declare Odinga ‘Tosha' because the PM had shelved his political ambitions  earlier and declared Kibaki ‘Tosha' as Uhuru and others went towards another political direction. "This time we have weighed both our weaknesses and strengths, we will use our opportunities to ascend to power and this time round we will not accept a raw deal," said the Ugenya MP. In a thinly veiled attack on Oburu Oginga,Orengo called on those who are vying for various  elective posts to shelve their interests for the sake of Odinga's bid for presidency. "If eying for an elective seat derails Odinga's presidency, it is better you put on hold your political ambitions and ensure his victory," said Orengo. He also cautioned leaders against vying for various posts that they do not identify themselves with just because of representing the people. "The elective posts created by the constitution need individuals with proper understanding, senate post is not just for everybody but for those who have acquainted themselves with laws," said Orengo. He challenged the electorates from Nyanza to take part in election overwhelmingly for Raila to become president and faulted their political apathy that has been experienced repeatedly. "In the last election only 61% voted in Nyanza. We need to reach 99% and ensure the PM wins the election," said Ugenya MP. Orengo maintained that as ODM legal advisor, he would ensure free and fair nominations in the primaries. "This time round nobody will be walking around with ODM nomination certificate in his pocket as the nomination process will be free and fair," assured Orengo.