MOSIRIA LEADS CALL FOR GUSII UNITY BEHIND MATIANG'I'S PRESIDENTIAL BID. Nairobi.

Speaking in Nairobi, Mosiria said the community should seize what he described as a historic opportunity to support one of its own for the presidency. He urged elected and appointed leaders from Kisii and Nyamira counties to set aside political differences and work together to strengthen Matiang’i’s prospects, regardless of their current affiliations.

Mosiria specifically appealed to leaders in government not to shy away from backing Matiang’i, arguing that community interests should remain a priority even as they discharge public duties. He said the Gusii region has produced leaders who have served the country with distinction and should now rally behind a candidate capable of offering national leadership.

He also criticised recent remarks by Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi, who reportedly claimed the Gusii community lacks the numbers to determine a presidential election on its own.

Mosiria dismissed the comments, saying they risk discouraging community members from active participation in the democratic process. No community should underestimate its political influence when united, he said. Elections are decided through coalitions, strategic partnerships and voter turnout rather than population size alone, he added.

He challenged leaders to focus on mobilising voters instead of engaging in debates that could divide the community. The strength of any voting bloc, he maintained, depends on the number of registered voters and turnout on election day.

Mosiria appealed to all eligible Gusii residents to prepare for the next voter registration exercise by obtaining national identity cards, registering as voters and participating in future elections. Increased registration, he said, would strengthen the community’s bargaining power in national politics and enable it to negotiate from a position of strength during coalition-building ahead of 2027.

He particularly urged young people who have turned 18 but are yet to register to take part in the next exercise, noting that youth participation will be critical to the region’s political influence.

Supporting Matiang’i should not be viewed as a partisan issue but as an opportunity for the community to demonstrate unity while engaging in Kenya’s democratic process, Mosiria said. He called for respectful political engagement and cautioned against statements that could create unnecessary divisions.

His remarks come amid intensifying political activity across the country as leaders position themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election. Although parties have yet to formally unveil presidential candidates, discussions about possible contenders continue. Matiang’i has featured prominently in recent national political debates, with some leaders publicly expressing support for a potential candidature while others weigh different alignments.