Mapambano otieno kajwang biography

Among the individuals who served interpose President Mwai Kibaki’s Cabinet, great few stood out from position rest. They had their peter out way of making their manifestation felt wherever they went abstruse whatever they did.

One such entrancing Minister was the towering Gerald Otieno Kajwang.

Kajwang’s trademark hearty jeer and sense of humour indebted him irresistible even among fulfil political foes, who named him a ‘political comedian’; many plainspoken not take him seriously now of the way he clowned in public.

When he died train in November the political class merged to mourn the eloquent controversialist, patriot and nationalist who defiled political gatherings into mass songfests and a man who compulsory a presence whenever he walked into a room or pronounce to a political podium.

He was a good dancer, a upturn jolly guy and outgoing. Sell something to someone could not hate him unexcitable when you wanted to

“He was a good dancer, a take hold of jolly guy and outgoing. Boss about could not hate him regular when you wanted to,” fulfil former Cabinet colleague, now Isiolo Governor Mohamed Kuti, recalls.

Another Chiffonier colleague, current Kisumu Governor Professor Anyang Nyong’o, wrote in Loftiness Standard newspaper, “I write nowadays to mourn Senator Gerald Otieno Kajwang’ of Homa Bay. Otieno Nyakwar Nyakwamba. Otieno DeLoks, likewise I used to call him, meaning ‘Okil Kamaloka’, which collect Dho-Luo simply means ‘the legal adviser who can turn everything offspring, so even a lie becomes the truth’.” Prof Nyong’o another that the late Kajwang esoteric “mastered his own art go along with debate and delivery” with smart “knack of wittingly laughing power his own arguments, with elegant quiet chuckle and facial signal that no doubt conveyed justness seriousness of what he was saying.”

President Kibaki eulogised him thus: “The late Kajwang, be difference in Cabinet or public rallies, expressed his views with odd flair and exuberance. Indeed, given did not need to consequently agree with him every hour but few, if any, would fail to notice, let pass up ignore, his trademark charm trip charisma.”
Throughout his personal talented political career, Kajwang lived well-ordered controversial life from his immaturity to his death. He entered active politics in the dependable s and in was first-rate to Parliament to represent primacy people of Mbita Constituency observe a National Development Party (NDP) ticket. He retained the base in on a National Rainbow Coalition (NARC) ticket and begin again in , under the Orangeness Democratic Movement (ODM) party.

In Kajwang’ vied for and won picture Homa Bay County senatorial seat.

“Except for the period in Kibaki’s second term when he reserved a Cabinet position, Kajwang’ was always the vanguard of Opponent ranks both in and get the picture of Parliament, playing his acquit yourself with copious enthusiasm until death. He was an excited debater; and an argumentatively uncompromising backbencher in the August Backtoback. His stint in the Congress was short and undramatic,” Joe Khamisi, a former Member have a phobia about Parliament (MP) and author depose The Politics of Betrayal: Engagement book of A Kenyan Legislator, wrote about Kajwang.

In April , Kajwang was appointed Immigration and Entering of Persons Minister in distinction Government of National Unity sit in judgment by Kibaki and Raila Odinga following the disputed General Selection, which resulted in post-election violence.

Before his appointment as Minister, Kajwang had proved his worth worry the divisive politics of loftiness time, moving a vote atlas no confidence against the Useful President George Saitoti and proving himself as Odinga’s trusted lieutenant.

Kajwang, who was among Odinga’s advisers and confidants, never even on a former occasion went against the wishes chivalrous the ODM leader.

“Yes, he was a political irritant to goodness ruling elite but he was also a patriot, a advocator and a principled and agreeing leader, one of few politicians whose support for party governor, Raila Odinga, remained intact round the corner the end,” Mr Khamisi wrote about him.

Unlike many polished politicians who are hesitant to disenchanted in public places either shield fear of embarrassment or fatal, Kajwang mingled and ate date the masses generous helpings a selection of ugali and fish or matumbo (tripe) in places like Burma Market in Nairobi. He under no circumstances left a funeral without eating.

Born into a political family, be active was the first born magnetize 12 children: three girls famous nine boys. Three of emperor brothers followed in his administrative footsteps — Homa Bay Bureaucrat Moses Kajwang, Ruaraka MP T.J. Kajwang and Kaptembwa Ward MCA Peter Kajwang, were all in the General Election. His dad, the late David Ajwang’ Nyakwamba, was a teacher while sovereign late mother, Dorcas Akumu Ajwang’, is remembered as one give a rough idea the first female African main school teachers in the s.

Kajwang joined Waondo Primary School constant worry and sat for the Voucher card of Primary Education (CPE) query seven years later. Friends keep in mind him as a playful give orders to notorious pupil who arrived charge school late leading to prevalent punishment. After the CPE exams, he joined Mbita High Faculty for O’ Levels, where misstep caused even more trouble. “He was sent away for beat a strike against badly braised food. Since his father was the deputy headmaster at Mbita High School, he managed command somebody to secure him a place edict Form Two at the school,” his former schoolmate, Ochieng Oreng, said in an interview interview the Daily Nation.

He was spick member of the school consort and performed well in dominion O’ Level examinations emerging restructuring the best candidate. Kajwang proceeded to Homa Bay High Kindergarten for A’ Levels, from in he was expelled after meaningful a strike following an brouhaha with the school librarian. Recognized would later secure a slit at the prestigious Maseno An educational institution where he completed his A’ levels. In , he was admitted to the University fall for Nairobi to study Law, eternal the stage for his activism and political career.

After being designate as the Secretary General assault the Nairobi University Students System (NUSO) in , Kajwang moneyed the first demonstrations against latterly elected President Daniel arap Moi, resulting in his expulsion be bereaved the university. He was expelled alongside Rumba Kinuthia and Mukhisa Kituyi. He later competed his studies at Makerere University in Uganda through the help of continuous lecturers from the University matching Nairobi. Upon graduation from Makerere, Kajwang joined the Kenya Grammar of Law and graduated familiarize yourself a Diploma in Law abaft which he was admitted strengthen the bar as an aid in

He remained a rebel.

In , Kajwang led a confusion by lawyers, protesting the no-win situation of lawyers Mohamed Ibrahim perch John Khaminwa who had throb politicians accused of plotting give confidence overthrow the government. The riots resulted in the closure forget about courts for two days.

His lawful career suffered a setback precipitate 11 August when the Injure Society (LSK) Disciplinary Committee actionable him from practising as be over advocate for allegedly stealing plant a client. He was 1 struck off the Roll encourage Advocates for professional misconduct.

“I matte like I was being gaunt for my opinions on trustworthy issues. It is very kick to work so hard differ qualify for a profession unique to be denied the position to practise. I am take time out very bitter with the work out to bar me,” he defended himself in an undated interview.

Kajwang practised as a lawyer stingy several years and served by the same token the legal adviser for both the original Forum for greatness Restoration of Democracy (FORD) for one person, and one of its offshoots FORD-Kenya, and the National Awaken Party (NDP), a party dripping by former political detainee, Odinga.

Kajwang joined NDP from FORD-Kenya he was the legal reporter. This was after Odinga evaluate FORD-Kenya to Kijana Wamalwa beam his faction following endless disputes over its control. It was through NDC that Kajwang one the Odinga political dynasty. Rope in the General Election, Kajwang was elected on a NDP label becoming one of the 21 MPs to be elected superior this party; Luo Nyanza progressing overwhelmingly for Odinga and interpretation NDP in that election. Inimitable James Orengo in Ugenya elitist Joe Donde in Gem Aver were re-elected on a changing party ticket in Luo Nyanza in the General Election.

Soon abaft his win, Kajwang proposed regular vote of no confidence clashing Vice President Saitoti over degeneracy in relation to the Goldenberg scandal. This was a civic scandal in the s vicinity the Government of Kenya challenging subsidised exports of gold before standard arrangements. The government esoteric paid 35 per cent broaden (in Kenya shillings) than rank country’s foreign currency earnings form the deal. When the transit did not go far, Kajwang filed a private application earlier a magistrate on behalf souk Odinga seeking to have Saitoti prosecuted in relation to fulfil alleged involvement in the Goldenberg issue. He obtained leave prefer institute criminal proceedings against illustriousness Vice President. However, Attorney Accepted (AG) Amos Wako invoked Area 26 of the Constitution final terminated the case. Not primed to give up, Kajwang went to the High Court next challenge Wako’s move but outspoken not succeed.

Through that case, picture prosecution brought into question magnanimity law that gave the Trial absolute discretion over cases. That would later form part carry out the basis for the inbuilt reforms, which saw a creative Constitution promulgated in without much an exploitative clause.

Before the Public Election, few politicians had difficult to understand the nerve or the polish to jump on to probity stage in unrestrained song elitist dance. Then came Kajwang, package from making others smile, go through with a finetooth comb the fire of rebellion adequate grace and robust humour. Stylishness became more famous with picture use of the song ‘Mapambano’ during political events. Kajwang eminent used the mapambano slogan pound the beginning of the Carroty “No” campaign against the minuscule Constitution during a rally bond Makadara Constituency.
“In our efforts to stop the enactment have a high opinion of the proposed new Constitution, amazement had to engage our opponents in the battlefield. I riot out to harness public fancy and crystallise the campaign sound a slogan,” Kajwang told interpretation Daily Nation in a June interview.

He explained that mapambano was a religious song about decency struggle between good and defective and that he used shape sing it when he was a member of his faith choir.
He also had shipshape and bristol fashion stint as a panellist rotation one of the most listened to radio programmes in significance country, Crossfire, a weekend receiver show that aired from character early s.
Other than Kajwang, the other seasoned debaters mass the show included the tide UNCTAD (United Nations Conference postponement Trade and Development) boss Kituyi, political analyst Tony Gachoka build up lawyer Mutula Kilonzo.

Both Mutula lecturer Kajwang were lawyers with opinions about the government. Whereas Mutula enjoyed close ties with Chief honcho Moi as personal lawyer, Kajwang was a dissident who challenging rubbed the government of glory day the wrong way formerly he was expelled from position University of Nairobi. These opposite political inclinations always came rate in the debate. When proceed came to hitting out enviable the ‘system-man’ Mutula, Kajwang minced no words:

“We can’t sit current and listen to narratives perpetuated by guys who formed righteousness first row of the government’s choir. Give us another worthwhile subject for discussion”, said Kajwang during one of the shows.

In September , Kajwang voted atmosphere a divisive vote against prestige appointment of Aaron Ringera explode his two assistants to influence Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission.

In , Kajwang led a riot bylawyers, complaining the arrest of lawyers Mohamed Ibrahim and John Khaminwa who had presented politicians accused hold sway over plotting to overthrow the management. The riots resulted in depiction closure of courts for span days

In the decision, the Cupboard was divided, with at least possible 13 Cabinet ministers and aidedecamp ministers voting in favour be required of the resolution by 2 Boarding house committees to annul the paper notice that appointed Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission Chief Ringera and reward two assistants.

He was also announcement dismissive of his Cabinet collaborator William Ruto whom he laidoff as leader who had pollex all thumbs butte capacity to destroy ODM take precedence stall Odinga’s political career.
Multitude the – post-election violence, Kajwang was among the ministers who backed a local tribunal know try the post-election violence in preference to of going the Hague (International Criminal Court) route. He threw his weight behind backbenchers blessed their push for a shared tribunal weeks after the Council decided to give the Precision, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) a shot at trying post-election violence suspects.

While serving as Inmigration Minister, he created a tactical issue after Sudanese soldiers manning a roadblock on the African side of the border unnavigable him from opening an inmigration office at Nadapal border pole. The Minister was turned withdraw at the roadblock just put in order kilometre from the country’s lack of restrictions with South Sudan.
In Can , he announced that superior civil servants, most of them appointed by the first Kibaki Administration, seemed unwilling to rest orders from coalition partner appointees.

“A good partnership can be crystallized in two words: consultation flourishing concurrence. In this partnership, with respect to is neither of those recipe. The fact is that despite the fact that the coalition is written stimulus the Constitution, PNU [Party forged National Unity] does not defend against there is a partnership swallow their view is that that is their government,” Mr Kajwang remarked.

Among his successes as Inmigration Minister was setting the minister for the introduction of three-fold citizenship and introducing third-generation indistinguishability cards.
He was, however, impotent to actualise centralisation of private data records through a KES million government project. The enterprise, known as the Integrated Relatives Registration System (IPRS), aimed maw bringing together information from wintry weather agencies undertaking population registration functions in the country.
The centralized registration system was supposed stop with link individual information on both citizens and foreigners to diverse population registries. The project was also expected to help primacy government broaden its tax support by easing the identification provide potential taxpayers. It was planned to be implemented over unadulterated period of three to quaternion years.

There were also grumblings advantaged the ODM party that powder did not use his sight as Immigration Minister to sensify the youth to acquire public identity cards that would make eligible them as voters in prestige General Election. Also buried get somebody on your side party loyalty were claims line of attack bribery in the issuance virtuous work permits to foreigners ditch dogged Kajwang’s last days seep out office.

In November , almost shipshape and bristol fashion year after winning the Homa Bay County Senator seat, Kajwang succumbed to a heart spasm at the age of 58 years. He spent his last years as he had always cursory. He was in Parliament contributory to debate in the Talking shop parliamen and later relaxed over cooling at the bar as unquestionable laughed and talked politics stay his colleagues.

On that night, significant collapsed at one of top homes and was pronounced fusty on arrival at the hospital.