The burning of two UDA offices in Kisumu and Siaya caught the attention of media for a short time, and the issue was muted. Though the message passed was this: oppose the dominant political party at your own peril.
The homecoming and thanksgiving ceremony this weekend of the Interior PS Raymond Omollo gives a breathe of fresh air to those of use that yearn for alternative platforms. Though Omollo is not a political figure, he gives hope for those who desperately yearn for expanded political space.
Whereas the violence may look as the work of some overzealous riotous youth, the direct attacks on the UDA offices in Nyanza are symptoms of a much deeper problem, a problem that has been swept under the carpet for decades.
As the country moved from the single party political system, Nyanza has remained stuck in one party for decades.
One may wonder, why is it that there is very little political pluralism in Nyanza, especially the Luo Nyanza. Is it part of Kenya?
The answer can be found in the events of the first round of the mass action in March.
An environment of intimidation, violence and physical harm on those who wish to express themselves differently from the political leadership of the region.
There seems to exist a secret army, well structured, well financed and well-coordinated, operating in Luo Nyanza, whose core mandate is to spread fear to anyone that dare goes against the political establishment.
Anyone who feels like establishing a new political outfit has to contend with extreme violence. The image of Raphael Tuju , the 2017 Poa presidential candidate, campaigning in Kisumu, in full combat gear, helmet at the head and bullet proof jacket to boot, may have looked exaggerated.
However, the reality is that those of us who have chosen to go against the political establishment in Nyanza have to face that mood of war every single day.
Walking in the streets of major towns in Nyanza is a life threatening activity if you are opposed to the establishment.
That is why we would like to appeal to the new government to pay special emphasis on the state of political freedom in Nyanza. We appeal to Omollo to settle in his office by putting up structures that stops the wave of intimidation.
The presence of the PS at the critical office of Interior gives hope that the decades-long culture of intimidation and violence shall come to an end.
As the democratic space is opened in other parts of Kenya, Nyanza should not be allowed to lag behind in terms of freedom of expression and association.
This can only be done if the secret army that spreads fear and metes out violence is dealt with, using legal ways.
We should be allowed to exercise our democratic right in Nyanza without having to always look behind in fear.
Political parties like UDA should be allowed to open offices in all parts of Nyanza without facing the risk of being razed as happened in Siaya and Kisumu.
Youth representative, UDA Homa Bay branch
