Top editor Eric Obino now eyes Nyaribari Chache MP seat
Eric Obino who is vying the Nyaribari Chache Constituency seat in Kisii county.
After close to 30 years in the media, veteran editor Eric Obino is leaving, with his eyes trained on Nyaribari Chache constituency seat.
The seat is occupied by Mr Richard Tong’i, who is in his second term.
Others lining up for the parliamentary position are businessman Zaheer Jhanda, former Kenya Pipeline chairman James Kenani and Kiogoro Ward Representative Samuel Apoko.
Mr Obino hopes to secure the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket.
“I am confident the party primaries will be free and fair,” Mr Obino, 54, said.
Mr Obino is the Editor-In Chief in charge of print at Mediamax Group. He was with the Nation Media Group from 1992 to 2018, rising to the position of Executive Editor.
The father of four says his focus is youth and education, economic empowerment of Nyaribari Chache residents and equity and transparency in the sharing of resources at constituency level.
“Nyaribari Chache residents are yearning for change,” Mr Obino, who hails from Bobaracho village, said.
Greatest challenge
Mr Obino adds that his greatest challenge will be addressing the tokenism and handout culture in Nyaribari Chache and the country as a whole.
“This has discouraged many people from seeking leadership,” he said.
High poverty levels have given rise to the politics of handouts, locally referred to as “Gosera”.
“This culture has discouraged people with vision from gunning for political seats. It instead breeds thieves, money launderers, corruption and other shady characters. It unnecessarily makes campaigning expensive. Nyaribari people must have an honest discussion about,” he said.
“We can address this by investing in education. I plan to form development groups and help them access loans and grants.”
He adds that locals should be in a position to win school building contracts.
Mr Obino admits that clannism plays a big role in local politics.
“I understand and appreciate the matrix. It is a very important aspect in Nyaribari Chache politics but I aspire to be a leader of all clans. I will serve Nyaribari Chache constituents equally when elected,” he said.
Past mistakes
Mr Obino says scarcity of land in Kisii and Nyamira counties is what makes him champion education.
The veteran journalist says he will focus on the constituency boundary problem and exclusion of locals from devolved government jobs.
“We must re-examine the boundary matter and correct past mistakes. It is the work of the MP to safeguard constituency boundaries,” he said.
Bad roads and access to clean water also rank highly in his manifesto.
“All parts of the constituency must benefit from the little resources available,” he said.
Mr Obino is a Kenyatta University graduate in Language and Literature. He also holds a post-graduate degree in journalism from the University of Nairobi. He is also an alumnus of IESE Business School, New York.
Mr Obino says he wants to lead by example.
“I have fought for equity and transparency in job opportunities and distribution of public money,” he said, adding that misuse of Constituency Development Funds, skewed allocation of bursary and oppression of orphans and widows must end.
