By Collins Matubwi and Selipher Musungu
Vihiga
The entry of youthful and energetic politicians seeking to dislodge Vihiga Senator George Khaniri from the much coveted seat has send shivers to his camp and he is now a worried man.
Even Nominated MP Godfrey Osotsi and political greenhorns like Jackson Swadi Kegoye and Kennedy Kweya are also afraid of Mr. Ongadi and cannot match his mobilization skills.
Political pundits are of the view that if Khaniri does not go back to the drawing board and restrategise on how he can retain his seat, then he should prepare to be send home on early retirement.
The political storm that has been started by the young turks is not something that can just be wished away by the seasoned politicians. The youthful politicians are well endowed with resources and oratory skills which makes them command a huge following from the youths who are the majority, women and the elderly.
In short, the electorate are tired of the usual lies from the seasoned politicians and now want to inject fresh blood of youthful leaders to drive the development agenda of the county past 2022 polls.
One of the youthful leaders is Leo Busenah Ongadi, 40, who has vowed to ensure the current Vihiga Senator George Khaniri goes home on early retirement in 2022.
Even Nominated MP Godfrey Osotsi and political greenhorns like Jackson Swadi Kegoye and Kennedy Kweya are also afraid of Mr. Ongadi and cannot match his mobilization skills. The trio have too declared their interest for the senatorial seat.
He has made inroads in almost every corner of the county trying to endear himself to the electorate ahead of the 2022 polls and now he is the talk of the town. He is loved by both the youth and the elderly.
Early Life and Education
But who is this Ongadi? He was born and raised in Givigoi village. He attended Olympic Primary School from Class 1-4 and then relocated upcountry. He joined to Kinu Primary School in Hamisi Constituency for two years and then to Hamisi Primary School for class 7 and 8.
After performing well in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE), was enrolled to Givogi High School and after two years, he joined Butere Boys High School, where he sat for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary School (KCSE) exams.
“I have been responsible for collecting and accounting for US public resources and I have learnt the discipline that has made Americans develop their country into a world class economy,” Ongadi said.
He would later join Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (Jkuat) between 2003 – 2005 to pursue a Diploma in Information Technology, then went to Kenya Methodist University (KeMU) for his a degree in Business Information Technology between 2008 – 2011 and then to the University of Nairobi (UoN) for a Master’s degree in Project Management between 2011 -2013.
He is currently pursuing another Masters in Computer Science at the Virginia International University.
Employment
Mr. Ongadi is a Program Lead at the City of Alexandria in Virginia, USA where he is responsible for several multi-million-dollar programs that focuses on the youth and elderly welfare, workforce, cultural activities, recreational parks and wellness services.
Politics
Ongadi avers that he joined politics not to enrich himself but to bring change that is needed to ensure those in power account for every single cent they receive.
“I have been responsible for collecting and accounting for US public resources and I have learnt the discipline that has made Americans develop their country into a world class economy,” Ongadi said.
“Failure to account for even five dollars can land one to prison same to the person someone who has stolen a million dollars. The system of accountability is so tight that one mistake can land the whole department in trouble. That’s what we need in Kenya,” he added.
Why Senator Seat
The flamboyant politician said that he chose to try a stab at the senatorial seat in a bid to ensure that he marshals for resources to develop the county using his connections.
“The Senatorial seat does not have any resource allocation at the moment and as a senator, I will look for donors through my networks and make partnerships with corporates so as to get resources to finance my development agenda,” said Ongadi.
He added: “I have already made a strategic plan that will drive my development agenda. We have Vihiga youths talented with acting and singing and will tap on to that talent. I want Vihiga to be like the Igbo State of Nigeria, producing professionals in the entertainment industry,”
He likened them to sportsmen who he (Ongadi) says they earn millions though they never went past secondary school education.
“I am not motivated by cars. I drive top-of-the-range cars here in the US. I am not motivated by status, or looking for employment. I am not looking to purchase houses, I already have them. I am not in this race so I can take my kids to study abroad. My kids already study here in the US. My intention is to serve my people of Vihiga,” said Ongadi
“We have very talented young people who if given a chance, can earn their livelihood from their talent. Diamond Platinumz has created over 5,000 direct jobs, as dancers, songwriters, floor managers, events coordinators, equipment players, drivers and security officers,” said Ongadi.
He added: “If I can create only two local Diamond Platinumz in Vihiga, you will see their effect on the local Vihiga economy. I will create partnerships with established musicians like my friends Reuben Kigame and Gloria Muliro, and the likes of Diamond Platinumz, Ali Kiba, Susumila and the like to help nurture local talent,”
The aspirant who is a front runner for the senatorial seat said that by him choosing to venture into politics was not motivated by the mere fact of getting rich but to serve the locals.
“I am one aspirant not motivated by status and money. I am leaving a well-paying job in the United States and seek a political office that whose earnings are very low as compared to what I get currently,” said Ongadi.
He added: “I am not motivated by cars. I drive top-of-the-range cars here in the US. I am not motivated by status, or looking for employment. I am not looking to purchase houses, I already have them. I am not in this race so I can take my kids to study abroad. My kids already study here in the US. My intention is to serve my people of Vihiga,”
Running campaigns from abroad
Ongadi says that he has well-coordinated campaign structure that is able to reach all the corners of the county, adding that he has been able to initiate development projects that have seen beneficiaries become self-reliant.
“Kenyans in diaspora are also supporting my activities on the ground by giving me there money. They are very supportive and are supporting in ways you can never believe. At least, they know they have one of their own directly contributing to the welfare of their people back at home,” he said.
He says that they are very united unlike back in Kenya where politicians have divided the locals along tribal lines, saying those supporting him are not only from Vihiga but also from other regions in Kenya.
Ongadi said they (Kenyans in diaspora) have been conned millions of shillings by so many people including their close relatives by telling them to finance nonexistent projects back at home.
“This will be a thing of the past once I start working as a senator. I have several drafts of bills which I already have and will need polishing so as to support our sisters and brothers in diaspora like the Diaspora Development Agency Bill which will streamline and reduce red tape bureaucracy for them to invest in Kenya,” he said.
He committed himself to work with all elected leaders in the county with the main aim of bettering the lives of the electorate.
Ends
