A political party associated with  Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and other professionals from the Kisii community was unveiled yesterday in Nyamira county ahead of the August 9 General Election.

The United Progressive Alliance was launched in a ceremony conducted at Nyamira Primary School playground.

The forum was also used to launch campaigns and drum up support for various aspirants across the county among them Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo.

 The exercise which was conducted by Nyaribo, his deputy Dr James Ondicho and deputy party leader Herbet Mwacharo, called on the Kisii community to overwhelmingly support UPA aspirants.

Speaking at the launch, various aspirants said after the collapse Ford People, UPA was the next party the community will use as a vehicle to elect its leaders in August polls.

Nyaribo noted that party,  which has its base in Gusii region  will also be used to unity the community .

“UPA is our vehicle we will use to vote in  all our leaders,” Nyaribo stated.

He said voting for UPA could mean empowering Matiang’i and professionals from the community who are senior partners .

County boss at the same tine stated that despite  UPA  having its origin in Kisii it was extending its political tentacles across the country .

Nyaribo asked the community to elect all their leaders through  UPA ticket and Azimio-One Kenya alliance presidential aspirant Raila Odinga as the next president .

“We fully support Raila Odinga for presidency but when its comes to other elective seats, let us elect all leaders through the UPA ticket,” Nyaribo urged.

Mwacharo appealed to the electorate to strengthen the party by voting in all their leaders through UPA.

“This party has strong roots in Gusii region and the Kisii community should lead by example by voting for it and their leaders overwhelmingly,” Mwacharo said.

North Mugirango parliamentary Nyangau Isaac  Atebe asked the residents to vote for Nyaribo since he is the only UPA candidates in the region.

Presidential ambitions

Kisii Central MCA Kefa Mogaka said that Matiang’i had dropped his presidential ambitions after being prevailed to do so but said that come 2027 general Matiang’i could be in the race .

Nyaribo,  who has been in office for only one year, said that if re-elected, he will initiate more development projects and bring everyone on board and empower the residents economically .

Gesami on his party pleaded with the residents to give them another term to enable them  complete the projects that they initiated.

He at the same time  assured  the public that once they get to office ,they will ensure equitable disbursement of  county resources .

Nyaribo was also crowned as a Kisii elder by  the Gusii council of elders led by Ndubi Maswari.

Other aspirants who attended function were Dennis Anyoka,Fred Makamara,Ombasa A pepo and Joseph Nyarango.