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Lawmakers from the Gusii community vowed yesterday to forge a united front ahead of the 2022 polls.

The MPs, some allied to President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga  as well associates of Deputy President William Ruto hinted at going into the election under one party to champion interests of the community in the next dispensation. 

At a press conference  at Serena Hotel in Nairobi after a two-day consultative meeting, the 17 MPs drawn from Kisii and Nyamira counties pledged to unite behind one political vehicle reminiscent of the 2002 General Election when the community rallied behind Ford People party, then headed by the late Simon Nyachae.

 “We have been watching events unfolding in the political space with keen interest.

It is now very clear that communities are having internal conversations on how to secure their interests ahead of 2022,” the MPs said in a statement read by South Mugirango MP Sylvanus Osoro, a staunch Ruto ally.  

“As elected leaders we would be failing in our collective responsibility if we do not offer leadership at this critical point in time and history,” the statement added, even as they vowed to discharge the mandate without fear or favour.

New unity

Besides lining a series of consultative meetings to popularise their new unity, the legislators said they will consult all leaders and stakeholders from the community to identify and streamline the region’s political and economic interests. 

They were MPs Jimmy Ang’wenyi (Kitutu Chache), Prof Zadoc Ogutu (Bomachoge Borabu), Ezekiel Machogu (Nyaribari Masaba), Sylvanus Osoro (South Mugirango) and North Mugirango’s Joash Nyamoko.

Others included Richard Onyonka (Kitutu Chache South), Ben Momanyi (Borabu), Vincent Kemosi (West Mugirango), Alfa Miruka (Bomachoge Chache), and Innocent Obiri (Bobasi).

Diaspora legislators included Samuel Arama (Nakuru West), Simba Arati (Dagoretti North) and nominated Senators Millicent Omanga and Beatrice Kwamboka.

However, Senators Sam Ongeri (Kisii), Okong’o Omogeni (Nyamira) and Governors James Ongwae (Kisii) and Amos Nyaribo (Nyamira), Kisii Women Rep Janet Ongera and Bonchari MP Pavel Oimeke were missing in action.

 “In our unity quest, we will bring everyone on board, but we are yet to talk to our governors, senators and other elected leaders,” Nyamoko said of the absence of the governors and senators.

“We have not spoken to the governors, senators and even members of the County Assemblies, but we will engage everyone on this matter,” Onyonka added.

Despite not succeeding in his presidential bid in the 2002 General Election, Nyachae made it to Parliament with a 14-member strong Ford-People faction after winning in all constituencies in former Kisii and Nyamira districts. 

But since his exit from active politics and subsequent demise, the Gusii community has remained divided, unable to speak in one voice.

Gusii region is currently dominated by ODM and Jubilee with some MPs tilting towards DP Ruto, who has attracted support of five lawmakers and has been rallying to make inroads in the two counties.