Obado ruffles feathers in Nyanza political bedrock

Migori County governor Zachary Okoth Obado has yet again turned his political gun towards Luo Nyanza political supremo Raila Odinga ahead of next year’s presidential election.

Obado who was re-elected to serve for the second term in office on an ODM party ticket has embarked on ways to popularise the People Democratic Party (PDP) in Odinga’s political backyard.

Even though he has not yet resigned officially from ODM, he has already kick started the process of recruiting new members to the party that propelled him to power in 2013.

Obado a soft-spoken teacher turned politician has vowed to take the bull by its horns to strengthen PDP whose former party leader was former South Mugirango MP Omingo Magara to neutralise ODM’s support in Nyanza.

“We want to create an environment where people in Nyanza are free to support anybody they want in any political party,” Obado said.

Not at war

The governor adds; “We are not at war with anybody here but our mission is to let the people of this region  have an alternative political vehicle”.

On Saturday, Obado played host to Kakamega senator Cleophas Malala and Amani National Congress (ANC) MCAs where they discussed a possible merger ahead of next year’s presidential election.

“We are in the process of making political friends and ANC is just one of them,” Obado said after the meeting.

Malala on his part said; “We have discussed the issue of working together with PDP party with main focus being Musalia as our presidential candidate.”

Apart from meeting the ANC delegation sources close to him say that he is also scheduled to have a meeting with Deputy President William Ruto whom he has previously hosted for fund-raisers in his county.

But ODM national chairman John Mbadi has dismissed Obado’s move terming it as a waste of time.

Mbadi said; “PDP is a briefcase political party that we as ODM cannot waste time to talk about. Let him carry on and we see where he will reach.”

Nyando MP Jared Okello also poured cold water on Obado’s latest political moves.

“It is his democratic right to do whatever he so wishes. Many have tried and failed on the way so we wish him well,” he said.

Non-starter

Migori senator Ochillo Ayacko however dismissed Obado as a political non starter who could not shake ODM’s support in the region.

“This is an ODM zone and the party is gaining popularity like never before. That plan is therefore dead on arrival”.

But former Rangwe MP Martin Ogindo who is also the party leader of Green Congress Party defended Obado, saying the governor deserved support for trying to entrench democracy in the region.

“We must have democracy in Nyanza and anybody with such idea should be supported so that the region has various political parties,” he said.

Council of Elders

A section of Luo council of elders led by Chairman Nyandiko Ongadi also supported the move.

“There is nothing wrong in Obado championing for the agenda of his party. A time has come when the people of Nyanza should be left to be independent,” he said.

But the governor insists that his decision to popularise the party is personal and has nothing to do with Odinga.

“I have no problem with Raila at all and I have said it before. My being in PDP therefore should not be misinterpreted to be fighting him,” he said.

Political analyst Joshua Nyamori says; “It depends on how he packages his party and also considering the fact that he had been elected to serve as governor with the same party. But my take is that it will not be a walk in the park for him.”