Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Just who is this Okanja?

Otieno Okanja handed the certificate to contest for Siaya County Governor post. (Photo:File)

By Lawrence Aluru
Kisumu, Kenya: The much awaited verdict for Siaya county gubernatorial seat has been relayed out and the two fierce contestants for the seat have been left out.
For Otieno Okanja, it is joy and partying for being handed the certificate to run for the seat on a silver platter after the two Oburu Oginga and William Oduol could not agree.
He will now come face to face with Felix Okach who is vying for the same seat on a National Agenda Party ticket.
The much awaited verdict has sparked confusion among supporters of the two while it was a miracle for the newly nominated aspirant.
He said that he had lost words to express his joy about the result from the elections board when contacted by the Standard at 9.35pm.
The little known Otieno will be a blow to those who thought it will be business as usual in the seat that is up for grabs on March 4.
Siaya County nominations for the gubernatorial seat has sparked controversy among many in the constituency but with the verdict, residents can now begin to find more of Otieno.
Work experience
Many are surprised with the outcome from the elections board for they had not known Otieno for long just as the two who had traversed and dominated the county.
A former banker, Okanja brings into the race vast economic and investment experience gained while he worked with Kenya Commercial Bank.
Born in 1950 in West Asembo, Okanja went to Nyagoko Primary school after which he joined Sawagongo High school before joining Alliance High school for his A’ levels.
He joined KCB as a management trainee in 1978 and later on retired from the same bank as an executive director.
Okanja has a Bachelor of Art degree in Economics and Sociology and a Masters in banking and finance from Finafrica College (Milan University).
Okanja has authored a book titled "Kenya at Forty five- Economic performance, problems and prospects".
He says that he will erase the past and direct the future by implementing five key strategies which are agriculture, education, business, health, water and sanitation and sports, talents development and culture.
Okanja says he will promote sports and culture as this was the base in which people will live in harmony.
He is not far from others that say education will be key during their tenure as a governor as this was what will bring development.
He had said that will stick with ODM even if he losses in the party primaries.



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