Fresh bid for Raila’s return to Parliament

By Rushdie Oudia and Mangoa Mosota

KISUMU, KENYA: Nyanza leaders are making a determined effort to have former Prime Minister Raila Odinga sit in Parliament despite his insistence that he wishes to remain outside.

In a meeting held in Kisumu on Saturday, a cross-section of leaders implored Raila, who lost the presidential race in the March 4 General Election on a Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) ticket, to go back to Parliament saying his vigour and authority were needed within the House.

However, there were divisions over the issue with a heated debate between youthful leaders and elders over the matter. Siaya Senator James Orengo said the attempt was “sensitive” and could leave Raila embarrassed.

Orengo said the quest could go the way of the one seeking to have former Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka return to the National Assembly in which —to much embarrassment — no elected leader has been willing to step aside for him to make a comeback. Kalonzo was Raila’s running mate in the presidential election.

Very serious issue

“Some leaders have been approached and have declined. That is why I am saying this issue is very serious,” said Orengo.

Those present at the meeting included Raila, 18 members of the National Assembly, four governors, two senators, 40 professionals, 52 clergymen drawn from different parts of Luo Nyanza and the Luo Council of Elders.

The campaign to have Raila back contradicts the position taken by the CORD leaders on Monday, where they resolved that Raila would serve as the coalition’s leader from outside while Kalonzo would make his way back to the National Assembly.

But a few days later, plans to have a member of the National Assembly give up his seat for Kalonzo’s comeback seem to have hit a snag after Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama conceded that Wiper Democratic Party’s efforts to strike a deal with elected legislators from Eastern region had failed.

The elders and professionals present urged Raila to find his way back to Parliament, arguing that he would play a greater role in advancement of good governance and consolidation of Kenya’s democratic gains.

But Muhoroni Member of National Assembly Onyango K’Oyoo said the former PM was too senior to go back to Parliament.

“Some people are coming up with wild ideas. This is not right,” said K’Oyoo, who is a member of Peoples Democratic Party, an affiliate of CORD.

His Kasipul counterpart Oyugi Magwanga said the decision rests with the former Premier. “He is not for the idea. It is demeaning to his stature, although there are a number of leaders willing to relinquish their seats for him,” said Magwanga.

Kisumu East legislator Shabir Shakeel said it would be an embarrassment to have Raila joins them in the National Assembly.

Luo Council of Elders chairman Willy Otondi said there would be further consultations among local leaders comprising clergy, elders and politicians to decide whether Raila should go back to Parliament or not.

Earlier, some of the leaders present said Raila should stay out of Parliament but lead from outside by pushing for economic development of the region.

“Raila was at the forefront of looking for investors to do business with Kenya. That is what he should continue doing so that our region is developed,” said one leader.

Vehement opposition

A youth leader in Kisumu, Augustine Abuya, stood up and vehemently opposed the idea being fronted by the elders and told Raila not to heed such calls.

The six-hour meeting, which was convened by Luo Council of Elders and clerics led by Catholic Archbishop Zaccheaus Okoth, was held at Ukweli Pastoral Centre, about 10 kilometres from Kisumu town.

Fred Outa, who was the master of ceremony, told The Standard on Sunday that a committee of professionals and clergy would be formed to persuade the former Premier to rejoin Parliament.