In Dagoretti North constituency, dust has slowly settled on the acrimonious nominations where the Orange Democratic Movement handed over the party’s ticket to Hon Elachi much to the changrin of her competitors.
The race for the ODM ticket had attracted 5 aspirants namely Hon Elachi, Hon Mary Alivitsa, city business lady Norah Bosibori, Elijah Oenga and Jeremiah Migosi.
The Odm party in its wisdom handed the ticket to Hon Elachi forcing both Migosi and Oenga to go the independent way.
Residents of Dagoretti were left with sour grapes in their mouth with some claiming that no justice was served. A majority of them vowing to teach the Orange party a lesson on the ballot.
www.goodmorningkenya.com caught up with Elijah Getui Oenga at his campaign secretariate in Kileleshwa and he shared part of his vision for Dagoretti North.
GMK: Goodafternoon kiongozi and kindly who is Elijah Oenga?
Hon Elijah Oenga: Thank you GMK. Well Elijah Oenga is a Kenyan who lives and work in Nairobi. I have stayed in Dagoretti North throught my adult life. Iam a family man married with kids but above all Christ is my lord and saviour.
GMK: Why politics?
Hon Elijah Oenga: I must make it clear from the onset that Iam not a politician but a leader. Right from my schooling days right from primary school, high school through to the University, I have always assumed leadership roles with the sole purpose of making a change in all my spheres of influence.
For instance as a student leader at at Baraton University of East Africa I started a project dubbed Somesha Fund where I initiated chicken rearing project and the proceeds thereof used to pay school fees for needy students in our campus. The success of this very noble idea is what has given me the impetus to keep serving in many small ways.
I also have several projects currently underway in Dagoretti North where the community is fully engaged in bringing about the much needed change.
GMK: From ODM to independent, what has changed? Have you for instance adjusted your manifesto to suit your new status as an independent candidate?
Hon Elijah Oenga: Not at all, from the onset, Our campaigns and rallying call all through have been about getting the people involved in the management of their affairs. All programs initiated under #DagoTukoWorks and elaborated clearly in our manifesto, places the residents of Dagoretti North at the heart of every decision making process, even as we work towards improving the social welfare of our people.
When we set out for the ODM party nominations even with clear evidence that we were winning, we were driven by the same urge and desire-The desire to have the great people of Dagoretti North be at the centre of this very critical stage in the democratic space.
Now that we were denied the opportunity, our urge and desire to always walk with the people must go on. We will press forward for the sake of us and the next generation.
The will of the people must be respected.
We must forge forward. Let’s Go!
GMK: You have been traversing all the 5 wards of DN, do you have a specific cadre of people you are working with?
Hon Elijah Oenga: Not exactly. Wherever we go,
We are listening to every voice, carrying everyone along. We are leaving no one behind. The choice we have is not one of them against us. Ours is battle of inclusivity, making everyone count, making every resident of Dagoretti North Count.
If there’s one thing I truly enjoy, is my moments meeting the people. Handshakes, eye contact, smiles, encouraging word here and there. Am Inspired, am lifted, I honestly would do this again and again.
“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much” #dagotukoworks
GMK: Briefly can you give us a brief over view of what a waits Dagoretti North should they elect you.
Hon Elijah Oenga: (laughing) Well, the difference between what we are offering the people of Dagoretti and what our competitors are offering is like day and night.
We have deliberately chosen a fishing hook NDOANO as our symbol. We shall not give fish but show our people how to catch it themselves.
Simply put, my manifesto is centered on seven pillars
1)Education: Iam passionate about education, our outgoing MP Hon Simba has done some good work in giving out bursaries we intend to push it higher by having full education scholarship fund to cater for bright and needy students.
2)Economic empowerment: In my efforts of giving our people ndoano, we shall have empowerment centers in all wards where skilled labor shall be produced.
3)Environment infrastracture and waste management. A clean environment is key.
4)Health. Having a health center that is well equiped and easily accessible will be our priority.
5)Sports and culture centers. Dagoretti North is a haven for talent. We shall absorb all these young people into centers where they shall be nurtured for economic gain.
6)Social protection welfare.
7)National representation and participatorypolitics. I will be your voice in the national assembly.
Security…
GMK: In your 7 point agenda you have not tackled security. How now yet insecurity is what ails the people of DN?
Hon Elijah Oenga: Security is not only the absence of muggers and armed robbers. An empowered community that is fully engaged is secure.Security is tackled in details on infrastructure development where both roads and clean water lie.
“Safety and security don’t just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear.” #dagotukoworks
Oenga.
Empowernment.
Do not give them a candle to light the way, teach them how to make fire instead. That is the meaning of enlightenment. And empowernment.
Elijah Oenga.
On politics of tribe?
GMK: What is your take on the disquet in Dagoretti North in so far as politics of tribe is concerned? Will it have a bearing on who becomes the next MP?
Hon Elijah Oenga: Politics of tribe, class and religion have no space not only in Dagoretti North but in Kenya as a whole. My team does not subscribe to it now or in future for very deliberate and obvious reasons.
We are a rainbow of a country; beautiful people from different communities make up what we celebrate as a Nation, Kenya.
As residents of DN we all face same challenges ie water, insecurity, poor infrastracture and all these can only be solved by working together as one people.
G.M.K. What can you tell the great people of Dagoretti North?
Your love and support towards my candidature is timeless and ever growing. Whether the sun is up or it has gone down, your warmth is steadfast. Thank you for the amazing support.
We are winning this together. My service to you will reciprocate this marvelous love you keep extending to me.
Am truly humbled.
# DagoTukoWorks
“I SPEAK AS A YOUTH (for the many youths). WE subscribe to a team that minds about our FUTURE. A Dago North that will have a suitable secure environment to work and live in. Empowerment projects that will enable us get boosted in our small businesses that we have and want to start (including juakali sector). A program that will help and make our FUTURE get shaped vehemently through introduction of Technology studies in schools. Accomodation of each and everyone (this includes special needs children and youths). Promote our talents as artists. Promote culture.
Amisi Wesonga DN youth.
I would love to go on and on, but I’ll just simplify this by proposing a solution. The good news is that in everything WE would love to be done in our Dago North, Elijah Oenga will tackle. This is evidemt from his manifesto that points out the issues, solutions and how the implementation will be done. Who openly does that? A leader with a heart of humanity, vision and is humble. I vouch for Elijah Getui Oenga as our MP 2022. (Kindly go through his manifesto www.dagotukoworks.co.ke) Be the narrative changer. Do not vote someone (who will give us something now and forget us later and kill our future) because of their big name, but vote for a do-er. One who sticks to his word. WE believe in Elijah Oenga.
GMK: The youth make up a huge percentage of the voterscin Dagoretti North. How will you engage them?
Hon Elijah Oenga : Young people need to re-engage with politics. The life of democracy depends on it. We have left it to the stuff shirts, and obviously they have not been minding the store.
In store niko na a lot for the great people of Dagoretti North. Kama haujacheki manifesto just share out and my team will reach out.
Thanks a lot na wasee wa Ongwaro nawatambua
