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Sharp divisions have emerged among elected leaders and professionals from the Gusii region on who between former Interior Minister Fred Matiang’i and retired chief justice David Kenani Maraga the community should support for President in 2027.

A group of elected leaders including Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo, Nakuru Town West MP Samwel Arama – and professionals led by Nairobi-based advocate Danstan Omari are rooting for Matiangi to remain the community’s torchbearer.

Whereas Matiang’i has hinted to close aides about his plans to seek the top seat, Maraga has not shown any signs of venturing into politics, though his name is being mentioned in the region. But another group led by former Borabu MP Ben Momanyi and advocate Denis Matara Abincha oppose any Matiang’i’s candidacy and are instead fronting Maraga.

The two argued that Maraga was more popular across the country and could get more votes than Matiang’i, whom they had branded as a dictator. Speaking to People Daily yesterday, Abincha said would be pointless to replace President William Ruto, whom he accused of dictatorship, with Matiang’i, who he claimed has similar attributes.

He said Ruto and Matiangi have two distinct things in common they don’t respect the Constitution and they defied court orders. “When the court orders were issued that Miguna Miguna should not be extradited from [Kenya], Matiangi openly defied them with impunity and ordered that he be sent back to Canada,” Abincha said.

“This is the same man who unfortunately wants to be the next President of Kenya.” He added: “The only person who can save this country from the serious economic and political crises it is facing is none other than Maraga.

He has already demonstrated to Kenyans that he is an honest and good leader. “Therefore, as the Kisii community, we are fronting Maraga for the position but not Matiangi.” ‘Dividing community’ Momanyi also dismissed a Matiangi candidacy, arguing that he was not fit for the position because he could not accommodate the views of other people.

He claimed that when Matiangi was a minister, he failed to unite members of the community and wondered how he could help Kenya if he was elected President. “During his tenure as CS, he took much of his time dividing members of the community and their leaders and so I don’t see him as suitable material for the presidency. He is not even the community’s de facto leader,” Momanyi added.

Meanwhile, Onyonka has maintained that the community had already settled on Matiang’i as their preferred choice in 2027. “Let the whole nation know that this time around, the Kisii community could front a presidential candidate who is none other than Matiangi,” he stated.