By Anderson Ojwang

For the last six decades, Mt Kenya has passed over from one generation the politics of the oath of Kihi (Uncircumcised) from assuming Kenya’s presidency to deny the lake the most coveted house on the hill.

From the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga to his son, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, the Luo have fallen to the sword of the Kihi mantra and have performed dismally in the region.

In the 1992 first multi-party elections, Mt Kenya rallied behind their son the late Kenneth Matiba after the split of the Original Ford that was founded by Oginga with other leading Kenya’s opposition politicians.

Oginga had his Ford-K vice chairman Paul Miute as his running mate and he performed dismally at the presidential ballot while Muite was elected Kabete member of parliament.

Similarly, in the 2022 Presidential elections and with the support of the then President Uhuru Kenyatta, Raila still failed to climb the mountain despite having the iron lady Martha Karua as the running, he was vanquished at the ballot box by President William Ruto.

In a run-up to the last general election, the debate about circumcision created a political storm with then Gatundu MP Moses Kuria evoking the infamous Ichaweri oath.

In a hard-hitting post on Facebook on Friday, March 18, the Chama cha Kazi (CCK) leader claimed over 300,000 Kikuyus took an oath in 1969 never to elect an uncircumcised leader as president.

“In 1969 when you are under siege you rally 300,000 Kikuyus to take an oath at a fee-binding them never to elect an uncircumcised person. 50 years later without calling for another oath to undo the first one, you unilaterally make an about-turn and expect the whole community to follow you,” he said in an indirect attack on President Uhuru Kenyatta who has settled on Raila as his preferred successor.

He claimed Kikuyus, led by Kenya’s founding father Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, took an oath in 1969 never to elect an ‘uncircumcised’ leader as president.

President Uhuru Kenyatta had endorsed Raila as his preferred successor ahead of the August 9 General Election Read Kuria criticized Uhuru for going against an alleged 1969 oath that bars the Mt Kenya community from electing a leader who comes from a community that doesn’t practice circumcision.  

“Uhuru is going against his father’s wish by supporting Raila Odinga and he knows what Kenyatta said. We even took an oath never to support Raila for the presidency and that is why we are backing Ruto,” Kuria said.

 
Raila condemned communities that elevate circumcision to a life-and-death issue and highlighted the unfortunate belief in some communities that one cannot be a leader if they have not undergone circumcision.

“That person is not only abusing me and the people of the Luo community but all the other communities that do not practice circumcision. They are simply telling you that you and your
children are incapable of leading,” he said.

And now that Raila has exited the local political scene for an international platform, where he is currently campaigning to be elected Africa Union (AU) chairperson, President Ruto is currently, the new object of attack in the Mountain.

Currently, the mountain that supported Ruto in the last election is restive and are fast sliding away from his reach and he is finding soft landing in the lake.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is weaponizing the pombe (alcohol) debate in the Mt.Kenya region to rally the community against President Ruto’s administration.

The emotive pombe debate in Mt Kenya region has elicited various reactions with women and various leaders in the past holding demonstrations over the effect of alcohol in the region.

Even a section of Mt Kenya governors had revoked licenses to various dealers in alcohol and even banned selling of the alcoholic beverage drinks in their respective counties.

Currently, Rigathi has taken the pombe battle to the doorstep of his former boss, President Ruto and Internal Security permanent secretary Dr Raymond Omolo.

“When I was deputy president, I declared war on alcohol and drug abuse. We succeeded in reducing the effects of alcohol and drugs on our people.

Then I had a problem with our president over the alcohol and drug menace in the country. We had 56 companies that were manufacturing illicit alcohol that is dangerous for human consumption.

I closed the companies and we only left two with the committee that I headed. After closing the factories and working with the chiefs and the police.

The alcohol menace dropped. The boys started returning home and they even became clean and we started seeing our daughter pregnant once again and we started having children.

This was a good sign in Mt.Kenya Nakuru, Laikipia and Nyandarua where alcohol had a negative impact on our people.

The Permanent secretary for internal security was told by the president to reopen the factories. The factories after re-opening were advised not to take the products anywhere else but should be sold in Mt Kenya.

That was the genesis of my problem with the President. When we were in Nyandarua, I told him it was not good to reopen the factories.

The companies are operational but the alcohol is not sold in Rift Valley or anywhere else but purely in Mt Kenya,” he said during a recent church service.

But Omolo responded by condemning the remarks made by Rigathi, describing them as politically motivated, reckless, and insensitive.

Omollo criticized the claims, calling them baseless and lacking empathy for families affected by substance abuse.

“The State Department of Internal Security and Administration strongly condemns the reckless statements made by the impeached former Deputy President, Mr. Rigathi Gachagua, during a church service. His accusations against the government of deliberately targeting citizens in Mt. Kenya with illicit and counterfeit alcohol are unfounded and insensitive,” Omollo said.

By Anderson Ojwang

President William Ruto could be finding a safe landing in the once hostile territory that denied him votes in 2022 presidential elections and also became a hot bed for violent protests against his administration over the recent Finance Bill.

The Mountain, which was his bedrock, is currently experiencing a political volcanic fissure with the residents turning to prayers and looking at Mt Kenya for redemption.

Even the recent meeting between President Ruto and his predecessor Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta and subsequent appointments of the scions of the House of Mumbi into the cabinet and government did not thaw down the eruption.

Drawn from various parts of the country and led by the Director of the Gikuyu and Mumbi Cultural Museum Mr. Samuel Kamitha, the group said they offering prayers to what they described as significant challenges the country had witnessed in the year.

“This year has brought many shocking events for our country. We have come here to pray for Kenya and seek divine intervention. Our forefathers believed in the mountain as a sacred place. We are here to call upon God to help us overcome the political and social challenges we face,” said Kamitha

For President Ruto, he could be reaping from his early adventures and investments in Nyanza as he currently feels safer and at home in any of the counties in the region that he has frequented most recently.

During last year’s Thanksgiving service for the Internal Security Permanent Secretary, Dr Raymond Omollo, Kericho Senator Mr. Aoron Cheruiyot evoked the spirit of Dipir requesting the Luo community and the Kalenjin to collaborate, unite and work together.

“It is here in Kachuonyo that our aunt, dipir was married by Rachuonyo and we recognize as Kalenjin community the importance of such relationship. We understand the prominent role Rachuonyo plays in the Nyanza politics that is we seek to work together and President Ruto indeed has shown his commitment to that effect by appointing your son and our nephew to a very important seat. Let the two communities work together and live in peace and harmony as we have a long historical and ancestral connection,” he said during the homecoming ceremony for Dr Omolo in July 15 2023.

The then Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said at the function that he had requested President Ruto to give the slot to his preferred candidate but Ruto declined and told him, he had chosen a young man from the lake.

And President Ruto during a party at the home of Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo told the residents that his victory was more of an ODM victory because he was a student of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and that the two communities have a common bond.

With the recent political realignment and the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, President Ruto is finding Nyanza to be more homely and welcoming than most parts of the country.

While Mt Kenya could be rebelling against the president and fast sliding into the region of protests that was synonymous with Nyanza, the Lake is becoming calmer and more accommodative.

While the Mountain and Nairobi witnessed protest over abductions on Monday, December 30 2024, Kisumu, Migori, Homa Bay and Siaya the once volatile and violent protest hot spots turned cold with no any form of activity.

It was business as usual. President Ruto, last weekend was in Homa Bay to watch the finals of Governor Gladys Wanga-sponsored Genowa football tournament where he shared the podium with Raila and received a rousing welcome.

“We are excited to welcome President William Ruto to Homa Bay County. Karibu Rais and thank you for your support and belief in the talented young people of Homa Bay. Let’s make this tournament one to remember,” Governor Wanga said on X.

President Ruto will tomorrow January 1 st 2025 deliver opening year speech at Kisii State lodge before hosting Uganda President Yoweri Museveni in Siaya during the Luo Cultural Festival.

President Ruto will be expected to open the ultra-modern Siaya County stadium the following day and with these activities, Onjelo ja Got is enhancing his visibility and acceptability in the region.

Former Nyakach MP Ochieng Daima said Nyanza is becoming more receptive to President Ruto because of the support from Raila who has somehow provided him with the political key to visit
the region.

“We have not witnessed any form of infighting between Raila’s team and President Ruto’s allies in Nyanza. If anything PS Omolo has moved to work together with all leaders and this has enhanced the developing of unity and collaboration among the leaders,” he said.

He argued that the recent cabinet appointment of John Mbadi, Opiyo Wanday and Dorcas Oduor by President Ruto in the broad-based government has stirred a positive reception in the community.

“ In Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila’s handshake, there were no appointments of community members to the cabinet and other senior government positions. It was built more on the hope of supporting Raila’s presidential bid. President Ruto has rewarded the community and this is what could be leading to a change of heart,” he argued.

Chairman of Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Mr. Odoyo Owidi said the Mountains have for over the last six decades enjoyed entitlement to national leadership and feel disfranchised when they are not within the power apex.

“What we are witnessing currently is the rebellion from the mountaineers who feel excluded from the apex of power and want to DE campaign President Ruto. They have been in the presidency as either the president or the deputy and the emerging power dynamic is what is making them to rebel,” he said.

Odoyo claimed the Mountain had recruited the church and other institutions to help propel their agenda of reclaiming the political power and that is why it is restive and in protest mood.

He said the tirade and uprising orchestrated by the mountain is a smear campaign which is well-funded to help them achieve their political objectives.

Odoyo said Nyanza has realized the political trick by Mt Kenya and instead opted to act as a safe valve for the president who has been kind enough in the distribution of the national cake.

By Anderson Ojwang

Despite his academic acumen and vast knowledge of history and politics, Prof Peter Anyang Nyong’o had to chew a humble pie and listen to the wisdom of his mother.

In his bravado, Peter thought his ageing village mother, least understood the local and national politics, as he assumed that was best understood by lecturers and students of political science, of which he was one of them.

So the first term Kisumu Riral MP walked majestically to his mother and informed her of his intent to form a political party that he would use as his vehicle in future political dispensation and was disembarking from the once led by the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga’s, Ford-Kenya.

But the shot, terse and simple response from the mother would later come to change his political destinations to greater heights.

If anything, he owes it to Mama Dorcas Awino Nyong’o drawing her name from the biblical Dorcas who was a disciple of Jesus in the Bible who was known for her acts of kindness and charity, she redefined her son’s illustrious political career.

After the death of Jaramogi Odinga, a power struggle had rockedFord-K over the occupation of the post of vice chairperson following the elevation of Wamalwa Kijana to the acting chairman slot.

Then Langata MP Raila Odinga, who was also Director of Elections challenged Ugenya MP James Orengo for the seat.

Raila lost the seat to Orengo in the ballot by legislators from
Nyanza.

In Orengo camp were the late Achieng Oneko (Rarieda) Prof Ouma Muga (Rangwe) the late Dr Oki Ombaka (Gem) Prof Anyang Nyongo (Kisumu Rural) Otieno Mak Onyango (Alego Usonga) Dr Otieno Mc Kopiyo ( Kasipul Kabondo( Aluoch Polo (Rongo), the late Dennis Akumu (Nyakach), Aloo Ogeka (Muhoroni), Otieno Karan (Nyando) and Ochola Ogur ( Nyatike).

In Raila’s camp were his elder brother Dr Oburu Odinga (Bondo), Mama Phoebe Asiyo (Karachuonyo) the late Orwa Ojode (Ndhiwa) the late Otieno Kajwanga (Mbita), the late Joab Omino (Kisumu Town), Ochieng Mbeo (Mathare) and Owino Likowa (Migori).

After Raila lost to Orengo, he opted to challenge Wamalwa for the post of chairperson and Orengo’s allies from Luo Nyanza sided with the acting chairman.

Raila later resigned from Ford-K and used Omondi Oludhe-led National Development Party (NDP) to contest for the parliamentary by-election in Langata, which he easily won.

Nyongo who spoke during the 50th anniversary of the late Walter Fanuel Odede in Chianda Primary School in Uyoma, Rarieda sub-county said Kenya’s politics is rough and unappreciative.

“I knew I had done good work for the people of Kisumu Rural and my experience as the area MP was good enough to catapult me to the next level. I told my mother, that I had formed a party with some of my friends, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and it is the vehicle for
my next political destination,” he said.

But to his utter shock, Nyong’o got a disarming and simple response from his mother that only came to make sense later after some years.

The mother reportedly told him” You are complicating politics. Do not do what others are doing. People want simple things. Go where the people are and want you to be.”

In the 1997 general election, Nyongo lost the parliamentary seat to Wilson Ochoro Ayoki while among the Orengo’s allies, all lost their seats save for Ugenya constituency where Orengo rode back to the parliament.

“I lost the seat and learnt the hard lesson. My mother was right. I learnt that it was important to serve the people but do not look for any reward,” he said.

From the mother’s advice, in the 2022 general elections, Nyong’o joined the Raila political vehicle Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and recaptured his seat.

After the 2005 constitutional referendum and the subsequent formation of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party with Nyongo as the secretary general.

Nyongo became the first MP for the new Seme constituency and later the first senator for Kisumu county and currently the Governor for Kisumu and is in his final term.

After nearly 15 years of Raila’s helm at the ODM, Nyongo was appointed the alternate party leader.

Raila’s move to contest for the chair of African Union chairperson seat created a vacuum in the party leadership and the central management committee settled on Nyongo.

“Owing to the gruelling AU campaign” Raila had “designated” Nyong’o to chair meetings of the top decision-making committee until next February as Raila steps up his campaigns for the African Union Commission chairperson position.” Said Mr. Edwin Sifuna, the secretary general.

Nyong’o, Raila’s age mate who turns 79 next month, previously held the party leader position in an interim capacity in 2013. He has been a loyal ally of Raila, who also served as ODM’s secretary general.

He vacated the position amid a push for generational change by younger ODM lawmakers. 

Nyong’o had faced stiff competition from Siaya Governor James Orengo and interests that favoured a generational shift.

Younger lawmakers had preferred Sifuna, with Embakasi East MP Babu Owino touting himself as the best person to lead the party into the future.

Orengo had been equally aggressive but had raised eyebrows with his dalliance with Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka and impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, as well as his initial opposition to the broad-based deal.