John Oywa
10 May 2008
Nairobi — A new era dawns on Nyanza politics today when Prime Minister Raila Odinga brings home a rich harvest that has eluded the community for decades.
For a community that has spent most of its time in the opposition, Raila's recent appointment as Prime Minister is a climax of several year of struggle for the country's leadership.
Today, he is not only coming back home to thank his supporters and seek blessings from elders, but also to flag off a new political journey.
As a senior Government official with executive powers, Raila is expected to sway his followers from the opposition back to the Government side.
He is also coming to assure the ODM supporters that the party did not lose out in the power sharing deal.
His visit will also help heal wounds inflicted by post-election violence that left Nyanza bleeding. Residents faced police bullets and inhaled tear gas fumes during the protests in January and February.
But it will be his address at the Moi Stadium that is likely to evoke fond memories. It was at the same venue where the Orange Democratic Movement was borne, at the height of the referendum campaigns.
Raila and his team rode on the ODM popularity to humiliate the Government in the referendum.
It's the same wave that powered him to the Prime Minister's office.
On Friday, Kisumu changed its face and colour as it waited to welcome the PM.
The airport was a hive of activities as dignitaries began to arrive. Hotels were fully booked and taxi operators were making a kill.
ODM officials and the event's organising committee worked overdrive to ensure that things moved as planned.
They shuttled between Tom Mboya Labour College where Raila will meet various groups, his residence at Milimani, and the stadium where a group of youths mounted giant public address systems.
Although the police were finalising a massive security operation to ensure Raila and his guests were safe, the party youths were doing a separate rehearsal on how to deal with crowd trouble.
"This will be more than a home coming party. We need to take extra care because there will very many people and they must be controlled," said a party activist who was among those rehearsing.
The organising committee chairman, Mr Tom Dola, said they were expecting many dignitaries. "We are expecting many guests. There is possibility that some will come from outside the country," Dola said.
Raila will this morning meet with Luo Council of Elders, a caucus of Luo professionals, ODM officials, investors and church leaders.
The four groups were yesterday putting last touches to their lengthy memoranda to the Prime Minister.
All the 21 constituencies have selected 20 representatives each to meet with Raila at the Tom Mboya Labour College. Each constituency has prepared its own memorandum.
The Council of Elders are expected to present to Raila an analysis of their expectations in the Coalition Government and what the future holds for the community ahead of 2012 General Election.
The Lang'ata MP is scheduled to arrive at Kisumu Airport at 9am.
Local leaders and Government officials before proceeding to Tom Mboya Labour College for a meeting with elders, members of Kisumu business community and professionals.
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