The late Homabay Senator Otieno Kajwang’ will be missed by all Kenyans regardless of their political affiliation particularly for his Mapambano trademark song.
Known as an eloquent orator, fierce defendant of human rights besides being a mogul in the legal field, the boisterous Kajwang’ has a place in history and memories of many.
However, the man who will be affected immensely by Kajwang’s death is CORD principal Raila Odinga given the pivotal role the fallen politician played in South Nyanza region in his more than 17 years in politics.
Those who understand the dynamics of Luo Nyanza politics will admit that Odinga is undeniably a supremo de facto in that region. His political prowess has grown for over two decades since the demise of the doyen of Kenya opposition politics and his father Jaramogi Oginga. But, what we ought to understand is he has strong allies who work as foot soldiers to keep the region intact.
Apparently Kajwang’, undoubtedly a loyal member of ODM, was Raila’s point man for the south, a region that has recently given birth to fierce critics of Odinga most of them young Turks. The region is also opposed to political dominance of central Nyanza, a home to Odinga.
As one can recall, moments before his demise, Kajwang’ played host to Raila loyalists at Oyugis, a rally where all ODM dissidents were warned against their close affiliation to Jubilee government notably Silvanus Osele (Kasipul), Agostino Neto (Ndhiwa) and Dalmas Otieno from Rongo.
The trio, and Kisumu Central’s Ken Obura, are also alleged to be working with Nairobi Governor Dr Evans Kidero to topple Odinga as spokesperson of Luo community. It is understood that Kajwang’, who was also ODM chairman, played an integral role to have some of those legislators de-whipped.
It will be cumbersome for Odinga to find a tough, loyal and indomitable ally from the region given the only experienced politician from the region; Dalmas Otieno has fallen out with him.
Suba MP John Mbadi may be the preferred candidate after his recent elevation to ODM chairmanship but I am afraid he may not have that enthusiasm and charisma to stand huge demands from the people of the South led by dissatisfied legislators.
The death of Kajwang’ might prove tough for the Odinga team since he needed him most at this time when the coalition is undergoing turbulent times. He needed the fallen senator to quell political temperatures for the region hence this might be defining moments for Kenya’s evergreen politician.