Volleyball, SDA choir, social media: Ex-Governor Okoth Obado's life after active politics

Former Migori Governor Okoth Obado has now taken to playing volleyball with his family and strolling on foot around his Rapogi village area as he settles into life after active politics.

Citizen Digital recently reached out to Obado on a WhatsApp call that was plagued by poor connection due to his location, but he immediately called back, unlike in the past when placing an interview required going through a routine of aides.

"I am now more free. I sleep early and wake up late, unlike in the past when the days were packed. Since exiting active politics, I have little pressure,” he says.

He jokes that nowadays his phone is also not as busy as was the case in the past, and that he can now engage more with people even on social media platforms.

Obado says he is currently renovating his house and, by the time a group of journalists rocked up to his home for this interview, he had just finished shooting a music video with the choir of the Rapogi Lwanda SDA Church which is situated just across his fence.

"Actually, I am still wearing the choir uniform from shooting; we started from the church and moved into my compound. We have been shooting for the past few days," Obado said.

The two-time Migori County boss says he has also constructed a volleyball court in his compound where he trains with and coaches a local team.

"I have a team that I coach and we play volleyball together, it is more fulfilling since now I have more time to learn new songs and practice and do sports," he said.

Apart from volleyball, Obado is also an avid martial artist and during his time as Governor, he managed to work with a local taekwondo team that ended up representing Kenya internationally in South Korea.

He says that when he was a Governor, his time was packed as his compound had several tents where he would hold meetings with different groups; but now, he says, the compound is quieter, packed only by a flock of guinea fowl, peacock, turkey, and chicken.

“I often sit under a tree, occasionally a few friends pass by and we talk, or I just stroll in the village and catch up with neighbours," he says, adding that what keeps him busy most days is running businesses that he calls 'jua kali,' where he is assisted by his children.

"Politicians should consider more time on retirement or taking a break, it is more peaceful. I try to manage politics but I am not active right now," he says.

Obado was the Principal of little-known Chung’e Secondary School in his Uriri Constituency where he stepped down in 2007 to vie for Member of Parliament, his first stab at politics, but was trounced by the late Cyprian Ojwang’ at the ODM party primaries.

He then shifted his energy to sugarcane farmers’ union politics where he ended up as the chairman of the Kenya Sugar Board and helped establish private millers like the Sukari Industries in Ndhiwa, Homa Bay, and Trans Mara Sugar in Narok County.

It was during this time that he worked closely with President William Ruto, the then Agriculture minister; a relationship that proved costly for him when he joined the Migori Governor race in 2013.

He was locked out of the ODM primaries in favour of Edward Oyugi, but went on to capitalise on his grassroots mobilisation to win the much-coveted seat on the then barely visible People Democratic Party (PDP) ticket.

In 2017, Obado won re-election against former Cabinet minister Ochillo Ayacko, now the incumbent, after he left PDP for ODM when he was welcomed back by party leader and Nyanza political supremo Raila Odinga.

In both his two wins, the results were challenged in court through election petitions.

In the run-up to the August 9, 2022 General Election, Obado broke ranks with Mr. Odinga and went back to his PDP party, then reunited with his old ally William Ruto in the Kenya Kwanza alliance, becoming one of the political outfit’s leading point men in Nyanza.

"I have taken a break, but I have not quit politics. I plan to build my party and become a party leader with several elected leaders in the next polls. I will start mobilising my party from about 2025," says Obado.

He opines that Kenyans should consider giving time to all elected leaders to deliver, adding that politicians should also accept the reality of election outcomes when petitions are over.

"We should accept reality and kindly respect and accept the court and the wishes of the people, it is easier to approach and share development ideas instead of attacking those in office," he states.

Obado advises Kenyans to work more on farming and increasing their income in a bid to tackle the high cost of living, which he says has continually risen over the years since his childhood days.

"When I was growing up, my secondary school fee was Ksh.1,400 for the whole year, but that was still expensive then as several people dropped out. Cost of living will just go up and we should not crucify the current administration over that," he chimes in.

He further adds that, despite not being involved in active politics at the moment, he remains open to working in government or serving Kenyans in whatever capacity deemed fit by President Ruto.

Obado’s 10-year tenure in office as Migori Governor was however marred with corruption cases and a murder charge after university student Sharon Otieno, who was pregnant with their unborn child, was killed.