For sometime now, ever since the exit of Simon Nyachae from the Political scene, the Gusii community has been like a headless Chicken with no clear political roadmap.
The Community has time and again failed to take a clear political stand with divisions always rising in the recent General Elections. For instance, in the 2017 elections, the community was divided between the Jubilee Party and the National Super Alliance Coalition (NASA).
The recent confusion in Gusiland has been widely attributed to the fact that the region lacks a senior Political figure to guide the rest.
Well, this is about to change as a Star is rising so thick and fast from the region. His Star is already shining and if given the opportunity, he will surely lead the people of Kisii to Greatness.
This Star is interior CS Fred Matiang’i, a man who needs no introduction and whose exemplary record speak’s for itself.
Everywhere he has been too, he has left a positive impact. From the ICT Ministry, to the Education Ministry and now the Interior and Coordination of Government Affairs Ministry, Matiang’i has done it all. It is therefore time that he took a shot at the National leadership.
To have a chance, he will need the support of his community first.
It is however so clear the Kisii community have grown tired of being in the Political cold and therefore want a share of the National Cake.
Recently, six MPs from the Kisii community declared that they would not allow leaders from other regions to use the community as a ladder to ascend to the presidency.
The legislators Ben Momanyi of Borabu, Joash Nyamoko, North Mugirango, Alpha Miruka, Bomachoge Chache, Samwel Arama, Nakuru West, Vincent Kemosi, West Mugirango and Jerusa Momanyi, Nyamira woman rep said Kisiis are tired of being used by other communities to propel their own to top leadership positions only to later dump them.
Vowing never to be used as a rubberstamp in endorsing others for the presidency, the lawmakers said they would be backing one of their own for the top seat come 2022.
At a fundraiser in West Mugirango sub county, they charged that the community had the numbers and leaders with requisite credentials to run this country.
Arama singled out the Interior CS whom he said had what it takes to be the next president of Kenya.
Urging other communities who had previously benefited from the support of the Kisii to reciprocate by backing Matiang’i, the Nakuru West MP declared they have endorsed Matiang’i as their 2022 flagbearer and that there is no turning back.
According to Arama, consultations on a Matiang’i candidature were still ongoing, and it was a matter of time before they set off for the big journey to State House.
Political leaders from the Gusii region have faulted the Jubilee administration for giving them a raw deal during government appointments notwithstanding the community’s overwhelming support in the last general election.
Which begs question: Will Matiang’i, or a Kisii for that matter, be on the presidential ballot in 2022?
From his pronouncements, Matiang’i cautiously does not want to engage in politics at least for now. Those who know him well say entering the murky waters that is the 2022 succession fray would easily provide ammunition to his detractors to attack him.