By McGregor Murgor
The timing of the demise of veteran Nyanza politician and former MP Phares Oluoch Kanindo conjures much conjecture as was marked by his style of politics throughout his entire life.
The humorous politician has always gone against the grain and was Kanu’s stalwart in the South Nyanza region and a close ally of Former President Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi. To an extent, if the Mois [Father and Senator] who are expected to pay homage to one of their loyal supporter fail to show up at the funeral; this may be seen as a betrayal.
More controversially, Kanindo hails from the outskirts of Awendo Town in Migori County which has been in the news lately of being the breeding ground of a perceived Jubilee funded Dalmas Otieno’s Kalausi [An ODM rebel splinter group yet to be registered].
Skipping this event for Dalmas Otieno and his Kalausi brigade is not an option but their attendance will require their backer’s proper reinforcement like has never been witnessed before. Why?
The third liberation doyen, Raila Odinga, whose popularity has since soared to near Madiba’s status after being away in America, and who will be in the country by then; might just want to attend this funeral for magnanimity and consolidation of his ODM party.
In the neighbouring Homa Bay County, already 350 members have rejoined ODM and former Rangwe MP Martin Ogindo, who had left the party, is now the Homa Bay County branch chairman after ousting Senator Otieno Kajwang’.
Other notable members who have returned to the party are politicians Hillary Alila, Everest Okambo, Adipo Okuome and Duncan Andiego, who decamped from ODM citing favouritism by the party leadership.
Alila, who contested the Homa Bay County Senator’s seat on a People’s Democratic Party (PDP), says he is rejoining the party after being urged by delegates and his supporters.
Indeed the stage is set for a political showdown and as the late Asst. Education Minister’s political life was controversial, so shall be his sending off.