If there is one politician who in retrospect is glad that they lost the 2002 polls and were therefore not part of the rot that was the 9th parliament, then it is one James Orengo, former legislator for Ugenya in Nyanza.
All indications are that the rapidly changing political situation on the ground will end up favoring courageous and principled politicians Like Orengo, this time round. Time and again, the fiery politician from Ugenya has refused to take the easy way out and on a matter of principal has resisted every effort to be intimidated or to submit under the huge Raila Odinga influence in Luo Nyanza. That is precisely why in the last elections Orengo found himself out of parliament for the first time since he entered the house via a by-election in the late 70s. Current MP Archbishop Stephen Ondiek easily wrested the seat away from him.
Recently at an event that the mainstream media mostly ignored or did not give the prominence that it deserved, James Orengo was in his element at a funeral in Taita Taveta. The funeral which took place early this month was that of the younger brother of Wundanyi MP Mwandawiro Mgangha. The late Salim Ndaviro was a well-known human rights activist.
Orengo described in great detail the kind of torture that was being carried out against government critics in those days (including unprintable things being done to the genitals). Orengo then pointed a finger straight at retired senior special branch officer Elias Mjomba who was seated in the dias and was clearly flustered. Mjomba however strongly denied any involvement in the kind of activities Orengo was describing, but the former legislator had driven his point home and went on to say that the real heroes who had fought the dictatorial government of Moi at great risk to their lives, had been shunned in favor of collaborators and even people who had actively participated in gross human rights violations.
It will be interesting to see if Orengo stands for the presidency again.
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Regular violent wife rape by a dutiful husband.
Do you know why Orengo was presidential candidate in 2002 and why will not be in 2007?
ReplyDeleteTest your political analysts' knowledge!
I think he was presidential candidate for three reasons. By defecting from FORD-K to SDP and then to another SDP faction, he had every reason to show voters that he was aiming for the highest seat in the land. He underestimated the NARC euphoria and told Raila that unless he (Raila) stands for presidency (as a representative of the Luo community) then he (Orengo) would do it himself. Some say he was compromised by Moi to split the Luo vote and give Kanu an advantage. I dont believe it, but in politics anything is possible!He will not be in 2007 because he of the humiliation in 2002 and secondly he is already in Raila's think tank and Raila will most likely be the ODM candidate 2007.
ReplyDeleteIf there is one politician I respect in Kenya,it has to be Jimmy. This dude is what kenyans need. This is a person who everybody understands why he fought Moi. Orengo and Wanyiri Kihoro in my opinion are the true champions of freedom. most others who went through what they went through did it for their own selfish reasons but these two clearly had kenyans in mind when they were struggling.
ReplyDeleteIt is unfortunate he is out of parliament. If i were Charity Ngilu I would have nominated him to parliament as a narc mp,never mind he opposed the very same narc in the elections. I just hope he moves to a more civilised constituency where real issues will the benchmark of his assesment. He should not reduce himself into worshipping a tribal chief for the sake of winning an election.
I wonder if he could be enticed back into the race. I think he would make a huge difference in the running of this country.....think about it
ReplyDelete- He opposed Moi and came out on top... unlike Kibaki(part of Kanu Regime for years) Kalonzo(coward, conformist, Moi puppet) Ruto(please no comment) Raila( has ruined the race for himself with his compromises....fooolish , fooolish) Najib ( as if......) Uhuru(even kikuyus wont vote for the guy!)
- He stood up to Raila, very few luos are willing to have their own political/mental will
- I would vote for him, in my books he is not a luo, or a political namby pamby wishy washy candidate...He is a Kenyan with the courage to stand up for what is right.
Chris please do an expose on him, i want to hear what dirt you can come up with on this guy. If he is to be president some day, lets see what's in his closet.
Thanks for the forum, keep up the excellent work