Homa Bay governor hopeful Gladys Wanga is geared up to face former Nairobi county boss and businessman Evans Kidero in the August 9 election.
The Homa Bay Woman Representative and chairperson of the Finance committee believes she has the skills and experience to upset her competition.
Wanga also has a direct ODM ticket, which created uproar among unhappy aspirants.
The 40-year-old says her governor bid is “to take full responsibility for what happens in the county” and she promises a different outcome "as messing up would mess my career".
She spoke to Moses Odhiambo on the intrigues that led to her being given a direct ticket and why Kidero is in the race to succeed Raila as Luo kingpin.
How was the deal between you and former MP Oyugi Magwanga cut? When and how did it all start?
The arrangement in Homa Bay is not unique. The party at our National Delegates Convention and National Governing Council agreed on four methods of nominations. Candidates were invited for discussions. The talks were guided by scientific polls.
We were magnanimous and agreed I would be the team captain, deputised by Oyugi Magwanga. Whichever method we used, there was only going to be one winner. I thank my colleagues for their magnanimity in stepping down and letting me carry the flag.
How did it all start?
The party had embarked on consensus as a first step. It is not just Homa Bay alone. In our case, the party leader, the Homa Bay governor and other opinion leaders reached out to the candidates. The meeting we had was preceded by conversations of how we could come together. The party leader only came to witness an agreement that had been reached after several weeks of conversations.
What has been agreed?
We all agreed our priority is to serve the people of Homa Bay and to ensure they have and benefit from devolution services. Nothing further was discussed. The other contestants supported us unconditionally.
Will you share the Cabinet with him?
We have not discussed any [power] sharing. What we have agreed is that it is one ODM government. We are going to work together to find qualified people from Homa Bay who will be able to serve in that government when we win.
How do you respond to criticism of your direct nomination?
The Homa Bay deal was reached through consensus. That is why you saw all candidates — but one [Kidero] — at the meeting. The candidate that did not come was called. But since he wasn’t there, he did not put his issues forward. That is why it was concluded that we had built sufficient consensus. Had he come and refused the terms, the party could have conducted nominations by universal suffrage.
I believe former Nairobi Governor Kidero is the said candidate. He claims he was not called. Is it the case?
I want to say without fear of contradiction that when the party leader did not find him in the meeting, even though he (Kidero) already knew about the meeting, he called him personally. He told the party leader he was coming but did not. The meeting went on for two and a half hours but he did not appear.
What do you make of Kidero and his candidature?
Kidero, from the word go, was not exactly in the race for Homa Bay governorship. He is playing in another league — of Luo political succession. That is why when our party leader called him to our meeting, he felt like it was not a meeting he could sit in.
I think he has no regard for our party and party leader. Kidero, on behalf of whom we don’t know, is facing off with Baba himself. Otherwise he’d have looked for the party leader to express his grievance. Thus, his candidature is not about Homa Bay but a bigger one outside the county. It is not new, though.
What do you say about the current Homa Bay administration?
The current administration has done what it has but we could do better if we put our foot on the pedal. We know the father of devolution is Raila Odinga and, therefore, when he wins the presidency, I know he will pay attention to devolution and how it can help the people. With a Raila presidency, the 35 per cent ceiling for county allocations that was proposed in the BBI will be a reality.
You supported Awiti for governor twice. Do you regret endorsing him?
We ran as a team in 2013 on the ODM ticket. In 2015 when I sought Homa Bay county ODM chairmanship, county government officers fought me the most. Towards 2017, we were not in their good books.
My ally then was Magwanga, until the time nominations happened. After the nominations, the ticket was given to Awiti. Being the chair, I supported Awiti as a candidate who was running on ODM and on the understanding there would be an improvement.
What’s your agenda for the county?
Our mantra is ‘Genowa’. We intend to harmonise our blueprints with Oyugi Magwanga. It is our hope we will have quality healthcare in Homa Bay. Our top priority is the Homa Bay Referral Hospital. We will begin this within 100 days of assuming office.
In agriculture, we will do something about maize and sunflower in Gwasi, sweet potatoes in Kabondo, sugarcane in Ndhiwa, cotton in Karachuonyo, and also pineapples in Kochia and Rangwe. We will also focus on the Blue Economy.
Homa Bay has the largest percentage of the lake. We will add value to our products, especially our fish. Infrastructure, mostly our roads, is also a priority. We also want to deal with water shortages. We cannot be near the largest freshwater lake and people of Homa Bay town not having water running in their taps.
Our other agenda is on youth empowerment. Homa Bay also has huge tourism potential. We are the home of Gor Mahia. We should be able to create resort cities along our beaches. Women economic empowerment is a priority too.
I also intend to institute strict accountability of our resources – both own-source revenue and the money that we receive from the national government. We must stamp out corruption. Anyone who will be found stealing public money will go home, and go to jail for it. Neither Oyugi nor I will condone corruption and stealing of public money.
Your star seems rising fast in Raila circles. Are you favoured?
I thank God for His favour. It is what can light your path. Secondly, I have been consistently on the frontline championing the party’s agenda. Even at the most controversial moment, the party leader and the party have never second-guessed my position on any matter.
Even on this governor's race, I have not sat in Nairobi. I have been on the ground and have worked. If I was a weak candidate, I don’t think the party would have given me the ticket. I have explained my candidature to the people too, and they have agreed.
What do you say of your relationship with MPs from the county?
I enjoy cordial relations with my colleagues. For John Mbadi, the only thing that put us on different paths is that we were competing. Eve Obara is my good friend and so is Ongondo Were, Martin Owino, Adipo Okuome.
By the time we were having this agreement, four MPs out of eight were supporting my bid. One was running against me. Now with Mbadi joining our team, only three are yet to declare their positions.
What about concerns of infractions at the Homa Bay Women's Sacco?
Some women borrowed the money and did not refund. Our challenge was that there are people who felt that their debts would be catered for by the Sacco patron — me. All the same, I have dared where many leaders have never dared to venture in.
Many would rather give handouts to women's groups because they fear the risks. of unpaid debts. I want to make my commitment that the Sacco will grow. I will ensure it gets the technical and financial support it requires. Our aim is to grow it to a bank just like Equity Bank.
(Edited by V. Graham)
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