By B, KNA
Deputy Chief-of-Staff, Eliud Owalo, has challenged politicians in Nyanza region to shift focus from becoming Kingpins and instead concentrate on the economic emancipation of the region which is struggling under the weight of poverty.
Owalo castigated a section of politicians in the region who are jostling to be political Kingpins, terming their efforts as selfish and egocentric.
“If the people are not getting tangible benefits, why do you want to be Kingpin of people who are impoverished and economically challenged? Our focus must change to politics of the economy and not politics of Kingpin.
The clamour for Kingpin in the Nyanza region started immediately after the death of former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, who was largely viewed as the regions political honcho.
The debate on Raila’s political heir, has weighed heavily on the unity of the political class with various camps, headed by perceived heirs alleged to be regrouping in search for the illusionary position.
The Deputy Chief-of-Staff who was speaking in Rarieda after assessing the progress of various ongoing projects in Siaya County funded by the government, asked the politicians to stop manipulating the minds of electorates by engaging in ideologies that serve their parochial, instead of the public interest.
“If we have to have a kingpin as the people of Nyanza, then it should be the economic kingpin that addresses the expansion of Koru-Soin Dam projects, to boost irrigation and avert floods or the upgrading of Kisumu International Airport, to handling cargo such as farm produce exports, as well as optimal exploitation of the sugar and mining industries and establishment of Potato and Avocado industries in Migori and Kisii counties for the benefit of the people,” observed Owalo.
He called for a paradigm shift and a change of mindset among the electorates, to elect leaders who are development conscious and aligned to dreams and aspirations of the people, come 2027 and not leaders pursuing personal interests.
Owalo disclosed that the 2027 polls will be the hallmark of the third liberation in Kenya which will be known as economic liberation, after the liberation from colonial and emancipation from single party rule to pluralism and wider democratic space.
He pointed out that politicians from other regions in the country who want to engage with the people of Nyanza should only do so on the basis of tangible economic projects for the benefit of the people.
Among the projects toured by Owalo in Siaya County include Affordable Housing Units in Alego Usonga, library project at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University, Nyamor ICT, Riat Kolemo market and Dhogoye Bridge in Usenge.
The Government has pumped in Sh.1.9 billion into the Dhogoye Bridge to improve access and trade between Siaya and Busia counties. It is expected to be complete by June next year.
