The man who sacrificed his seat to the Kenya’s first Vice President Jaramogi Oginga.
Jonah Hezekiah Ougo Ochieng aka (ling’ber). He had dubious distinction as perhaps the quietest legislator who had walked through the doors of Parliament Buildings
Apart from his quiet nature,the late Jonah Hezekiah Ougo Ochieng’, former Bondo MP was also easily the most selfless legislator this country has ever had.
Hon Ougo was a prominent member of the Luo Council of Elders when he took his final bow at Kisumu’ Avenue Hospital so Economical was Ougo with his words that songs were composed to celebrate his perculiae style.
One of the songs composed by a traditional Nyatiti artist had a particular memorable line about his character.
The line went thus: Ougo wuod Ochieng’ Ling berne,ling berne ling berne Ougo ( Son of Ochieng loves keeping quiet, silence is Ougo’s relish).
Ougo re-signed as a the principal of Friends School Kamusinga to join politics in 1973 when his friend Jaramogi Oginga,his teacher and mentor was barred from contesting the 1974 General Election on the protext that he was not a loyal to KANU Member
Jaramogi threw his weight behind Ougo in the race and, as would be expected,the former teacher easily beat his closest challenger William Odongo Omamo. He would repeat the feat in the 1979 elections.
But his move that caught many by surprise,Ougo stepped down in 1981 in a gamble to enable his mentor, Jaramogi, capture the Bondo seat.
It was terrible disappointment for Ougi and the Luo community vin general when Jaramogi capture as barred from contesting the subsequent by-election.
This was after he inadvertently referred to founding president Mzee Jomo Kenyatta as a land grabber at a public function in Mombasa.
The unexpected turn of events saw William Odongo Omamo sneak back to Parliament. Ougo once said of his selfless move: “I was not bribed or coerced. I just opted to sacrifice my political ambition for this man who was my teacher and mentor.
