PLO Lumumba, a well-known Nairobi lawyer and a key member of the Ghai commission that was meant to have given Kenyans a new constitution by now has announced that he will seek the people's mandate to represent Kamukunji constituency in parliament.
The man will not say which party ticket he will use and neither will he confirm or deny that he is interested in the presidency. In my book he would in fact be the ideal compromise candidate for the presidency.
And right from the word "go" Mr Lumumba has clearly shown the style of politics that he is going to pursue in Kamukunji. It is instructive that he announced his candidature while on a meet-the-people tour where he was seen indulging in various activities including cutting grass with a slasher.
Of course everybody has long forgotten that Lumumba was once a big supporter of the Moi regime (and probably still is) and often came out in strong defense of the regime that for 24 years took Kenya absolutely nowhere as the government policy was only the survival of Moi and looking for ways and means he and his clan would rule Kenya forever.
The Kamukunji parliamentary seat is now set to be the most hotly contested in Nairobi. Pastor Pius Muiru, who is also a presidential candidate has already expressed interest in the seat and so has Tony "Health Ministry contracts" Gacoka. Gacoka has long positioned himself to be the ODM nominee to run for the seat. Then there is the incumbent, as hard a fighter as they come, one Norman Nyagah. Phew!!
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Phil says:
ReplyDeletePLO is an excellent lawyer and an astute public speaker. But I am afraid he has started his political career on the wrong footing by making a kindergarten blunder of not declaring his party of choice. That is political cowardice. Political parties play a vital part in the voter’s psyche and in some cases influences the success or failure by a candidate.
His choice of constituency does not raise any emotions or temperatures either as you purport Chris. Infact, I don’t see PLO making any major inroads in his bid to be elected MP in Kamkunji. Nairobi is a different ball game from the rest of the country. For instance, does has he networked with local councillors and does he have any vague idea about what City Hall politics is all about? I doubt that he has any of this. He needs to spend some time with Mwenje, Raila, Kamanda or Gumo and he will understand what I mean. And as a self proclaimed people’s spokesperson, I expected PLO to choose his constituency carefully and elaborately. One which he can use his knowledge and experience to represent effectively. I am told he grew up in Kamkunji and hence his preference there. If there is a constituency he would have chosen in Nairobi, Kasarani would have been a better choice for him. I think his chances there are higher and the residents of Mathare need an MP who will fight to improve their socio-economic status.
I saw him as he attempted to lead the crowd in chanting populist slogans but at the end of the day he still cut a figure of a strict high school language teacher rather than a populist politician.
I wonder if and how he will face up to police tear gas in Nairobi streets in case reform battles go there. As a former CKRC Secretary, whats his stand on minium, essential and comprehensive reforms?
Another thing, these so called sober minded, forthright and corruption free lawyers (some prefer to be called Senior Counsels) have always been elected to the national assembly or appointed to public positions; and at the end of the day turn out to be very big disappointments. Remember Paul Muite with his Kamlesh Pattni /Goldenberg links? Fred Ojiambo and his links to Anglo Leasing scandal? Amos Wako (AG) and his endless blunders? Martha Karua now bullying everybody just as Kiraitu Murungi did in the constitutional affairs ministry. Even Sir Charles Njonjo in the early Moi days? George Oraro and links to the Ouko murder? All these people were once upon a time respected lawyers. How will PLO perform if he is indeed elected as MP for Kamkunji?
Chris u always point out how some peole were close to Moi. Name for me today any important politician apart from Kituyi and Ngilu who has never had a thing to do in thei political lives. wake up man, Moi was president for 24 years anf to survive politically u had to interract with him somehow. look at Raila Odinga, After going through the expensive '97 elections,his finanmcial fortunes dwindled and he had to look for baba and declare himself the prodigal son.
ReplyDeleteI think Lumumba would win the Kamukunji seat very easily if he decided to contest in any of the big parties. I have always maintained here that Kamukunji is a vaccant seat and no serious candidate seems interested. Orengo and UK were rumoured to be interested. If they dont put up then Lumumba is Mp elect already.
PLO Lumumba Otieno- as he was known then- will go down in history as the biggest sellout Nairobi University has ever produced.
ReplyDeleteFor those who were in the University of Nairobi in the mid 1980s, the name PLO Lumumba brings bitter memories of a govt. spy who duped students into electing him chairman of SONU in 1984/85 academic year.
When Moi clamped down and expelled several progressive students including Wundanyi MP mwandawiro Mghanga on Feb 1, 1985, students were firm in their conviction that Moi was not going to terrorize them and shut down freedom of speech.
They immediately assembled at Great court and demanded the reinstatement of expelled students. Problem was that the so called "chairman" of the students organization was nowhere to be seen.
Lumumba had disappeared in thin air when students needed him most. It is like Atwoli disappearing when workers have been sacked for no reason. Well the rest is history. Students ended being brutalized, nerve gassed, females raped and Wandera died a painful death.
Don't mention the name PLO Lumumba Otieno to those who were in the university in mid eighties.He is a self-serving, spineless pretender. He supported dictatorship to the end. He made sure Kenyans did not get a new constitution. What do you mean compromise presidential candidate. president of what and of who? of the Kenya spineless Cowards Self Servers Association (KSCSSA)?
You guys, have you lost all self esteem? Member of parliament to do what?. Haven’t Kenyans suffered enough in the hands of the Lumumba Otienos of this world? Wasn't the 246 million shillings he stole from the CKRC not enough punishment for Kenyans already.
The hyena is now coming for more in the form of CDF? Bursary fund? increased salary to 2 million a month, Local Govt. Transfer Fund, aids Funds, youth fund, women fund etc.?
Down with the likes of Lumumba Otieno!
First of all, I think Anonumous (1) has it all wrong. What has City Hall politics got to do with Kamkunji? These are 2 very different entities, and if at all, it is the incoming councillors who should hang on the incoming MP's coat tails if they want to get anywhere. And as for Norman, I'm afraid his number is up, as witnessed when he was nearly lynched in Eastleigh for his CDF record. What is he keeping the money for, anyway? Campaigns? Regarding Pius Muiru, the less said, the better. All in all, the only credible contender besides PLO would be Tony Gachoka.
ReplyDeleteDid u say Tony Gaqchoka? Man, u can do with some prayers
ReplyDelete