Thank You Butsotso South

Five years are gone. I thank you my people for the opportunity you gave me to serve you in the County Assembly . It was a privilege. The honor to be the last Councillor for the area, albeit for only three months and likewise the honor to be the first MCA cannot be underrated. Iam indeed humbled.

Out of personal reasons I did not defend the seat. But gladly my successor, Hon Walter Andati is a man we can count on. I supported him for the seat and thank God he won. My team and I all look forward to working with him to better the lives of the people of Butsotso South. Many ask what next for me. My answer is God is all knowing. Iam slowly and systematically rebranding and reinventing myself for the next calling. I trust that as I said in 2012 when I endorsed Gov Oparanya and Senator Khalwale ( see my post of 2012), nothing has changed. The journey just started.

For now let's watch Baba.

God bless you.

Five Years of Service : It was a pleasure

Three months as a Councillor and four years as a Member of the County Assembly, I thank you my people for the honor.

For personal reasons I did not defend my seat. In 2012 ( see my post) I said a journey of a thousand kilometers starts with one step. I have made that step courtesy of you . It is time to move on. A lot is happening in Kenya politically . For now I can only say let's stay the faith and watch Baba's steps.

Meanwhile I am rebranding and reinventing myself for the next calling. I count on you.

BUTSOTSO SOUTH - YES IT IS!

There has been called a byelection in Bukura Ward of Lurambi Constituency. This is the area I have elected to seek the people's mandate to represent them in the County Assembly come the general elections.The by-election is to replace a former Councilor as the new County Assembly Member position only appears in the coming general election. As this is the same electorate, I find it prudent to participate in the byelection. I have therefore declared my interest to seek election as Councillor for Bukura Ward as we await for the General election in March in which the area has been renamed BUTSOTSO SOUTH.
Iam calling on my supportersunderstanding in facing two elections within seven months. Arrangements are in place for the Sept mini and do count on you my friends for any voluntary input. These good people are already on the ground.

REUBEN NYANGWESO FOR KAKAMEGA COUNTY ASSEMBLY

Greetings, my people. Milembe.May I at this juncture and space state my political position. Those of you old enough will remember that I have gallantly before offered myself for election to parliament in Lurambi. In 1997 I lost honourably to the late Dr Kulundu. We put up a very spirited fight but succumbed to the Ford Kenya wave, not easily. You the people showed so much confidence in me by giving to me 15,800 votes. It wasn't a nice experience, humanly, but I took it in stride and supported him as my MP without waver.The subsequent years saw me take a break from active politics as I registered for a programme at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. I therefore failed to run in the year 2002. In 2007, the Lurambi nominations for the ODM party were a facade. There wasn't a winner. Despite that I stayed in the party and was retained as the Party Presidential Agent for Lurambi. I have remained steadfast in my party where I serve as the branch Vice-Chairman.I have a vision for this region. I think of a Kakamega that is not just famed for population and boda bodas , a Kakamega that people don't just while away time on roadsides as they whine and churn rumours. One where cane is grown but the fruits are partaken elsewhere. A county where it's city goes to bed at seven for it's people's fear of getting stuck in mud should the rains find them away from home.Courtesy of bad roads. I have a vision for a Tatu Kakamega. With an economically empowered and vibrant populace. I have confidence in you my people, that this is possible. Because of that faith in the County, I have personally embarked on a business mission to infuse new ideas in our 'city'. Ruby Meats in Kakamega at Nakumatt and on Mumias Road is a completely new experience in retailing. Iam also bringing to town my chain of Ruby's Pharmacy. This is a chain whose idea is heavily borrowed from a Canadian Pharmacy chain that I worked for. The modern Pharmacy concept is coming to you at the County. Having said that, and in cognisance of the fact that Iam a leader in this community in my own right, I wish to humbly give my political opinion. Inview of the new dispensation, it is crucial that we get our County leadership right, from it's inception. I speak knowing that there exist various fora where deliberations are on-going for purposes of head hunting and or scouting for leadership. However, I reiterate that these are political elective posts and shall not be allocated in boardrooms. As Iam entitled to a personal opinion that is not binding to anyone, may I only invite my supporters to interrogate my position. For County Governor, I at this point in time declare my support for Hon Wycliffee Oparanya. His merits for this are a discussion for another post. For the Senate, because of it's role, I give my blessings to Hon Bonnie Khalwale. He has demonstrated legislative competence. And my people of Lurambi, as a Constituency, I leave you to choose an MP . We have had a disastrous 5 years, and I do not wish that we go that way again. My guidance on this could be seen selfish. Iam not presenting myself for election in this position. I know my supporters may be sad for the rather unexpected decision. But I elect this route for a reason. A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. In this County, God giving me life, I intend to go for the long journey. The County ultimate. My self counsel tells me that to achieve this, I must start from bottom to let my people savor my acumen as a leader. Only then will I request the higher office. For the coming elections, I therefore present myself for election to the County Assembly. This choice is informed by the fact that Lurambi may have 5 wards for the Assembly. I do not for now make a choice of Ward, awaiting the work of the boundaries commission. I can only say I ask to be amongst the five. I invite my supporters to visit my blog often for this update.

God bless you

This Kind of Reporting is retrogressive

Yesterday, over three hundred leaders from Lurambi Constiuency met at the Kakamega Social hall to discuss the subdivision of the constituency. The Member of Parliament attended. I was there too and had an opportunity to address the gathering. After hours of deliberations, the resolution was unanimous, that the constituency be split into three. Lurambi, Kakamega Municilpality and Navakholo. The MP was mandated to present our position paper to the review Commission.
Now this morning a local FM Station reports that Lurambi leaders have failed to agree. This surprised me and I called one of the organizers just incase I was mistaken . He explained the problem : the reporter personally is not of that thinking . He 'd rather Municipality remains part of the rural area. Secondly he 'has not been seen' ! Good Lord, for starters it's not the reporters opinion that matters. This is abuse of office. Further, if reporters distort reporting because 'they have not been seen' then we are headed for the mountains. I have asked the Member of Parliament to call the station and set the record straight because yesterday's meeting was not an imagination in my mind. It actually took place.

On that note, may I call upon FM stations to engage more professional reporters.

Voters

Mama Ester and Group

Voters registering at Polling station046