THE MEMBER IN AND OUTSIDE

PARLIAMENT
THE EXPERIENCE OF A FORMER MEMBER: THE
EXPECTATIONS, REALITIES AND LESSONS

HON DALMAS OTIENO ANYANGO, EGH.

FORMER MEMBER FOR RONGO CONSTITUENCY
 AT THE BEGINNING
• I had previous successful experience in Student
Leadership from Rapogi Secondary School, Strathmore
College and Makerere University.
• In Business, I was the Million Dollar Agency Manager of
the American International Group (AIG) Worldwide
• I had established American Life Insurance Company
(ALICO) as the leading Life Insurance Company in Kenya
and Thabiti Finance Company as one of the Pioneer
African Non-Bank Financial Institution in Kenya.
 YOUTHFULL EXPECTATIONS
• At Makerere University we enjoyed very
privileged interactions with the powers that
be in Governments, the Politicians, Ministers
and the Presidents. We felt very powerful and
appreciated. Some of us believed we could
leave Makerere and get elected in our
Constituencies very easily as we were already
being elected as student Representatives.
 Early Realities
• Back home, people still viewed us as children
with degrees. Parents were still better known
than us. My father and our Area Councillor
advised me against politics before 40. “Please
establish your family and build investments and
other Assets before jumping into the murky
waters of politics. Politics is a tough practice and
exit is like a rejection which could be ruinous to a
young family”. Learn to feed and set-up your
family before you start looking after many others.
 EVALUATE ADVICE
• I followed the advice very well and so, by 1985, at
age 40, I started conducting Harambees. I built a
Maternity Ward at Rongo Dispensary, built 8
classrooms at Kitweru Primary School, and
established Kangeso Education Trust Fund with
48 Secondary School Students on full
Scholarships from Form 1 to Form IV. With 15
years work experience, I already had a
comfortable income to help many and therefore
prepared for elective politics
LESSONS FROM THE EXPERIENCED
• I had opportunity to talk to many politicians and
remember several pieces of very sound advice.
• Hon. Ojwang Kombudo, former Member for
Nyakach told me that “Leadership by handouts is
not sustainable”. Whatever resources you have to
allocate to your Constituency, use 50% for
development and the other 50% for consumption
by way of handouts and such personal assistance
to the Constituents.”
 FROM THE ELDERS
• Hon John Okwanyo the late Member for Migori advised
that “Never allow people to believe you are a source of
money. The very generosity will destroy you when you will
not keep up with the public financial expectations.
• I learnt from Hon. Okiki Amayo, the late Member for
Karachuonyo, that on some days, he would be under so
much pressure that he would give away all the money he
had and when stranded would go back to beg for fuel from
his wife to be able to come back to Nairobi.
• And Hon. Owigo Olang , the former Member for Ndhiwa
and later Nyatike, cautioned me that “Power and Money
tend to attract all sorts of people to you, men and women,
conmen fraudsters etc. You have to be very careful. You
never know who of all these may bring you down.
 MINISTERIAL APPOINTMENT
• I launched my Campaigns for the 1988 Elections on 1.8.1987.
• In February, 1988, I was appointed Minister for Industry, the youngest Minister then at
Age 43. With my background in Economics and Business, I set for myself an objective to
increase the share of Manufacturing to GDP from 13% to 15% in the following five (5)
years. I set my sights on the manufacturing of Vehicle Spare Parts. This would entail
limiting the Range and Models of Vehicles Kenya would be importing.

WHO TOLD YOU TO THINK

• I was going to review and relook at import substitution Industrialization, Agro-
Industries, Reform and Recapitalization of Sugar Industries, the KMC , Molasses Plant,
Pan Paper etc and the best ways of attracting more investments into these sectors .
• There were vested interests everywhere and nothing would move. I got transferred to
the Ministry of Manpower and Employment. The message was “do not move too fast”.
Later I was moved to Transport and Communications.
• That is how I started my first Term and that is where 55% of you are at present.
 A HIGH CASUALTY CAREER
• The Performance of the current Members is as
follows:
NUMBER % CUMMULATIVE
5th Term 1 0.3% (0.3%)
4th Term 9 2.6% (2.9%)
3rd Term 25 7.1% (10.0%)
2nd Term 122 35.0% (45.0%)
1st Termers 192 55.0% (100.0%)
Total 349 100.0%
 CONGRATULATIONS
• Ninety (90%) of you are First and Second Termers. Congratulations to all
and please let’s honour the 5th Termer Hon. Jimmy Nuru Angwenyi of
Kitutu Chache North, Kisii County.
• Let’s also honour the Nine Members on 4th Term:

1. Hon. Samwel Moroto – Kapenguria, West Pokot

2. Hon. Maina Kamanda - Nominated, Nairobi
3. Hon. Adan Keynan - Eldas, Wajir
4. Hon. Gideon Konchella - Kilgoris, Narok County
5. Hon. Maoke Maore - Igembe North, Meru
6. Hon. Cecily Mbarire - Nominated, Embu
7. Hon. Katoo Ole Metito – Kajiado South, Kajiado
8. Hon. Dr. Naomi Shaban – Taveta, Taita Taveta
9. Hon. Wafula Wamunyinyi – Kanduyi, Bungoma
 DEVELOP A HABIT TO CONSULT
• Please consult with these long term
practitioners. You may just learn something
that may help you reach their records. We
lost very many good leaders from the 11th
Parliament and wish the numbers will be
lower in 2022. Our current politics is HR
wasteful. 67% of you are new. First Termers
55% and those given “another chance” 12%.
 CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENT
(Art. 73)
• The Constitutional expectation is that the
Legislative, Oversight and Representation
Authority vested in the Members of Parliament
shall be exercised in a manner that:
 demonstrates respect for the people
 brings honor to the nation and dignity to the
office,
 Promotes public confidence in the integrity of the
office, and that
 The responsibility vested is to serve the people
rather than to rule them.
 PUBLIC HIGH REGARD
• Members of Parliament are very highly regarded
by members of the public. You must therefore
jointly and severally strive at all times to live
within the public and constitutional expectations.
• Too many people are looking for your jobs. They
all think they can do it better than you. Both the
Mainstream Media and the Social Media are
continually used to display who you are-positively
or negatively. Regard yourselves as LIVE on the
screen all the time!
DUTY TO PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
MEMBERS
• You belong to a Big Class now of the Honorable,
Waheshimiwa. The good, the bad and the ugly
that anyone of us does affects the images of all of
us, and we are now all over the Country. The
Personal Financial Budgets of Sitting Members
are usually in deficit. This may affect your focus
and concentration on the business of the House
and of the Committees. Temptations can be very
strong but please remember you have a duty to
everyone all the times.
• Manage and Protect the Image of your Position.
 PERSONAL PERFORMANCE
• Politics is a Game of Interests. Allocate
enough time to deliver on your constitutional
mandate. Quorum is a Common Problem. It
is a responsibility. Quality of Legislation is a
matter of serious national interest. Proper
oversight is a contribution to our democracy
and national stability. Leadership of your
Constituency is what you probably will be
most remembered for by your people.
 TURBULENT WINDS
• In Politics, there are Enemies, Opponents and
Friends, None of them will be permanent.
Enemies make themselves. Opponents are made
by circumstances.
• Friends are made by you. Do not allow Enemies
to accumulate until they get to overwhelm you.
Convert Enemies to Friends as fast as you notice
them. It may be difficult sometimes to know
your Enemies but take action when you are lucky
to identify them.
 SOME VALUES AND PRINCIPLES IN
PERSONAL RELATIONS
• Personally I went through Catholic Schools and
was able to acquire some beliefs, values and
principles that have helped me in life:
 We are all created by God in His Image and
nobody was created for Nothing.
 There is always something Good in each person
you meet except you may not know what it is.
 You serve your God by serving fellow human
beings professionally or otherwise.
 A Gift or Personal Ability is both an Asset and can
be a Liability depending on application.
 Sustained polarisation can develop to destruction
of all.
(Some examples 1992 FK, 1997 Reforms)
 There is No such thing as something for Nothing.
 Take integrity seriously.
What you say
What you want, and
What you do should Mean the Same!
 YOUR OWN EXPECTATIONS
• You may now review your own Expectations and
Leadership Objectives. Will your contribution make a
better Kenya for ALL?

• The Times indicate the Need for another Reform

Movement. The whole Country cannot go the
Matatu/BodaBoda Way! Think of Better Order.

• Address Corruption. Address Ethnicity.

Thank You All.