Lessons on How Not to Campaign for the Alego-Usonga Parliamentary Seat

Spread the love

Alego-Usonga Constituency is the single most populous Constituency in Siaya County with slightly over 72,000 registered voters (according to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission IEBC records).

It’s also the home of Siaya County Government headquarters and the political and national government administrative units. It is the home of heroes such as KNUT luminary Ambrose Adongo Adeya, Freedom fighter Achieng Oneko, former American President Barrack Obama, crooner Awino Lawi, numberless professors and distinguished sons and daughters who pursue careers in all known spheres.

For some reason since the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution which ushered in devolved governance Alego-Usonga Constituency has never elected an MP twice.

Last year maverick Legislator Samuel Onunga Atandi broke the logo-dichiel jinx by successfully defending his seat. A lot of factors came into play for Atandi to be re-elected.

Firstly, he earned voter empathy as a hardworking Azimio stalwart who was purposely being denied ODM Party nomination for reasons best known to the party nabobs.

From what we know, Atandi had stood with the party and was ready to give his life for the party leader. Claims that he fell foul of someone close to Raila and that he was growing stingy despite benefitting from a number of huge tenders from Siaya County government are yet-to-be-substantiated.

His chaotic social life notwithstanding Atandi trounced his rivals in the nomination and finally retained his seat.

Samuel Onunga Atandi is therefore going into the 2027 contest with no hangups. As a second term MP he has a soft-landing on a pension now entrenched in law. As a business entrepreneur Atandi is said to have made a tidy sum using his position and networking.

Whoever aims at taking on Atandi, then must implicitly understand that it will require going an extra mile to compete against the incumbent who has a well-entrenched campaign machinery.

This opinion piece is about what not to do if one aims at unseating Atandi.

One; no election has ever been won in WhatsApp groups – it is the IEBC which is mandated to conduct elections. Stop being fooled by hungry youth who are out to skim you dry.

Two; Atandi is an accomplished orator on television and radio, fight him on his own turf. And if you don’t know how to get hosted on TV and radio, just contact the author.

Three; it’s too early to dish out quarter-kilo sugar sachets at Hawinga Shopping Centre. The people want someone who can solve credible issues such as helping in the construction of the stalled police post project, extension of the female ward at Hawinga Heath Centre and beefing up security by organising police patrols from Mwer Police Post, if not doing something about the indubitable Sirinde-Odian’ga road. Quarter kilo of sugar serves three cups of tea and the people forget everything, even your name.

Four; don’t ignore the power of social media. Book your place in Google search engines by appearing frequently on news items. Get a proper public relations team who can operate outside the heckling in WhatsApp groups.

Five; use the youth wisely and stop posting adverts done in chang’aa dens. Remember Atandi’s strongest constituency is the youth followed by women. Adults don’t care whether he’s coming or going.

I hope I’m talking to someone outside there. You don’t defeat an established brand like Samuel Onunga Atandi by wishful thinking – rather you do so by strategizing.

Halloo….. Mnanisikia?

DalanewsKe

Editorial Monday 6 April 2024