The late Otieno Kajwang’ left a huge vacuum in both the Luo Nyanza and national political arena when he gave his final bow on November 18, 2014.
He was considered opposition leader and Nyanza political don Raila Odinga’s closest confidante at the time, a position which has since been inherited by Siaya Senator James Orengo.
The funny lawyer was popular for his ‘Mapambano’ slogan and his debating skills in parliament and in the courtroom, others branding him a fierce debater.
Above all, he was known for his iconic black fly-whisk, which he waved to the people during political events, as he carried them away with his Mapambano song at the top of his voice.
According to Suba lawmaker John Mbadi, the whisk carried with it magical powers and aided Kajwang’ in arousing excitement in the crowd during political functions.
With the story behind the flywhisk being not much known, it is said that he inherited it from Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, who was the first Vice President of Kenya and Raila’s father.
In 1992, Kajwang’ represented Oginga in court against then-President Daniel Moi (now retired) and it is from there that his relationship with both Jaramogi and politics grew, before he went for the Mbita parliamentary seat.
According to the Luo traditions, one who holds the whisk must be a superior person, proof that he indeed deserved to possess it.
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