Stanley Livondo.

Mr Moneybags back on political stage

Controversial political activist says he is on a mission to promote Jubilee in Luhyaland, denies involvement in drug trafficking

By Dennis Lumiti @dlumiti
After missing in action for sometime now, Stanley Livondo has resurfaced and, as always, not without drama. In a style reminiscent of his modus operandi in 2006 when he first plunged head on into the murky waters of Kenyan politics, Livondo is once again doing what he knows best – spice and entice. Back then, he used to splash money everywhere he went to the bewilderment of Western Kenya residents.
There were even reports at that time of him ‘raining’ wads of notes from a chopper. So loaded was he that anyone who knocked at the political activist’s car window never left empty-handed. Apparently, his coffers never went dry or perhaps, he has since replenished them if the events of the weekend of January 31 and February 1 are anything to go by.
Livondo arrived at two separate funerals in his Ikolomani backyard in Kakamega county in three brand new four-wheelers full of “security detail” and proceeded to dish out cash to mourners and hangers-on.
Despite the controversy surrounding his activities and the mystery regarding his source of wealth, Livondo announced he was on a mission to “bring order” to the politics of the Luhya nation even as he eyes the Nairobi senator seat come 2017.
“I am here to right the politics of the Western region as it is my home. Even though I am considering vying for senator in Nairobi in 2017, I want to ensure that my Luhya nation is united and headed in the same, right direction,” he told mourners during the funeral ceremony of a high school principal Stanslaus Luhombo at Musingu Boys High School.
Turning to Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, who was present, Livondo said: “I am back! You have been misleading our people and walking around in gusto as if there were no other bulls and cocks in the homestead.” Moving to another funeral where they both proceeded to, Livondo again reminded Dr Khalwale that “he would box him one of these fine days”.
“Unless you stop misleading our people into supporting the opposition, I will box you personally. You have to know that I served as chairman of the Kenya Boxing Council, President of the African Boxing Federation and Vice-President of the Word Boxing Council where even Mike Tyson was under me.
You cannot hold those positions unless you have boxing skills,” he told the bewildered senator. He went on to accuse Khalwale of fighting him in the past to ensure his flow of cash was stopped because “he was afraid that I would beat him hands down if I vied in Ikolomani in 2007”.
“You and some other Luhyas scared of my growing influence did everything to ensure I was frustrated. You thought I would die. You even used TV journalists to lie that I threw money from a helicopter.
You claimed I was selling drugs. Here I am still going strong,” he told Khalwale who later responded by urging him “go slow and eat whatever you have quietly and in peace”.
“You have been away for a long time my young brother and you should start acquainting yourself with the goings-on in this county and region before you start making any utterances,” Khalwale shot back.
Many believed Livondo was renewing his fight with Khalwale and Cord leader Raila Odinga ahead of the next polls, just as he did prior to the 2007 elections when he first campaigned for the Ikolomani parliamentary seat only to swiftly shift base to Nairobi where he faced Raila in Kibera.
He claims he won the parliamentary seat but was rigged out in favour of the former Prime Minister. Speaking to Politics Today, Livondo said he wants to ensure the newly-formed Jubilee Alliance Party gets a footing in Kakamega and other parts of Western region “because we are seeing the development the National government is initiatibe”.
Though he does not hold any official position in the political outfit yet, Livondo prefers to be simply called JAP activist and businessman. And even though he says he is eyeing the Nairobi senator seat, some believe Livondo has eyes on the Ikolomani parliamentary or Kakamega senate seats.
His only obstacle is Ikolomani MP Bernard Shinali, who is working with the Jubilee administration just like him. He was introduced by Shinali at the funerals as the future Nairobi Senator. However, speaking to Politics Today later, he said he had not yet made up his mind about the position he would be seeking in 2017.
He hailed Shinali’s development record and particularly the tarmacking of the Sigalagala-Butere road. Talk that the 48-year-old political activist would be on a mission to politically establish himself in Kakamega has been heightened by his recent massive investments in the area where he is putting up a palatial residence on the shores of River Ikoha in Mutaho village, Ikolomani and residential apartments in Webuye and Malava.
“He would not have succeeded in the past because he did not have a home in Ikolomani. But, perhaps, somebody has advised him to build a house first before he would seek an elective position, in line with Luhya norms,” said Joseph Muruka, an elder.
Livondo told Politics Today that he was engaged in a lot of groundwork political activities to market President Uhuru Kenyatta in the Luhya nation as he seeks re-election in 2017. And Livondo cannot be ignored going by the strong support he enjoys amongst the youth. He is no stranger to controversy.
In 1989, while in Form Two at Chavakali High School, he was suspended for pushing for the introduction of rugby and taekwondo. The school had a negative perception of the two disciplines. However, upon return, he continued recruiting and training more fellow students into the sports until the management eventually caved in and allowed them.
“We could even sneak from school at games time and train in nearby fields,” he says. He has been involved in brawls and even accused of using his “Romeo” firearm to intimidate enemies. Regarding the source of his wealth, Livondo insists that he makes his own money “in a clean way.”
He claims he has been misunderstood because of he is always ready to share whatever he earns with other people, which he attributes to his humble beginnings. After completing his O’levels in 1990, Livondo went into private business and later joined Kanu where he served as the then ruling party’s youth leader.
He says he has interests in several businesses especially in the hospitality and real estate sectors and denied he is involved in drug trafficking.