South Mugirango Citizens’ Assembly
The event was held on 8th June 2010 at Tabaka Mwangaza Hotel attracting a total of 118 participants. The key theme of the meeting was the need to elect accountable, honest and dedicated representatives on the background of the parliamentary by- election that was took take place in South Mugirango Constituency on 10th June 2010. Being a campaign period in the constituency, the area was abuzz with activities to drum up support for the various party candidates. As a result, the immediate former MP Hon Omingo Magara, Education Minister Hon Sam Ongeri, Higher Education Minister William Ruto and the Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka made a brief appearance seeking support for Magara’s re-election. The forum illustrated how Kenyan leaders will go to great lengths to say all the right things during campaigns but predictably revert fully to type upon election.
As a post script, all the candidates fronted by the major political parties (the two ruling parties in the coalition ODM and PNU) lost as the electorate preferred to send a message that they were more concerned on local issues as opposed to the national political dynamics. This assembly was therefore an eye opener in terms of the various possibilities and strategies that MOPA has as the 2012 elections approach.
