THE END OF BLIND LOYALTY? GUSII VOTERS MAY CHOOSE LEADERS OVER LABELS IN 2027
Even with Fred Matiang'i as Gusii's political kingpin, voters in Kisii and Nyamira may weigh candidates' records over party labels in 2027, as loyalty to parties weakens and races turn more personal.
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For years, people in Kisii and Nyamira have mostly voted for the party, not the person. The colour of the flag and the party name often decided the winner more than the face on the poster. That habit may finally change in 2027, even with Fred Matiang’i standing as the big political kingpin of the region.
Look at the past. When a strong party wave hit Gusii, voters followed it. ODM, UDA, Jubilee or any other big name could carry many seats simply because people trusted the party more than the individual candidate. Leaders came and went, but the party loyalty stayed strong. Many people believed that sticking with the party was safer and more rewarding.
This time the ground feels different. Voters are more aware. They have seen what works and what does not work in their counties. They talk more about roads, hospitals, markets, jobs and how leaders deliver on the ground. Young people especially are asking harder questions. They want to know what a leader has done or can do, not just which party he belongs to.
Matiang’i is clearly the strongest figure in the region right now. His name carries weight. Many leaders are lining up behind him, and his influence is real. Yet even a powerful kingpin cannot fully control how every voter thinks. People can respect Matiang’i and still choose a different person for governor, senator or MP if they believe that person will serve them better. Respect for a national figure does not always mean automatic votes for every candidate he supports.
The races themselves are also more personal. In Kisii, the governor’s seat has clear faces fighting hard. Simba Arati is defending his record. Ezekiel Machogu is trying for the second time. Richard Onyonka has stepped forward. These are not faceless party soldiers. They are known names with their own stories, strengths and weaknesses. Voters will look at them as individuals. The same is happening in Nyamira and in the parliamentary seats. Local issues and personal performance are becoming harder to ignore.
Another reason for change is the mixed political environment. Parties are not as solid as before. Alliances shift. Some leaders move between parties. Others stay flexible. When the party lines become unclear, people start focusing more on the person in front of them. They ask, “Will this man or woman fix our problems?” rather than “Which party flag is he carrying?”
Of course, parties will still matter. Matiang’i’s influence will pull many votes. Big party machines will still organise and mobilise. But the blind loyalty of the past is weaker. More voters are ready to split their ballots. They can support one party at the top and still choose a different person lower down if they feel that person is better for the county.
In short, 2027 looks set to be more about leaders than pure party colours in Kisii and Nyamira. Matiang’i remains the big kingpin, and his presence will shape the race. Yet the people themselves seem ready to look past the party badge and judge the candidates more carefully. If that happens, Gusii politics will take a new turn one where the person matters as much as, or even more than, the party.
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Written by FRANKLINE NYANDORO
Reporter and staff writer at Getembe News.
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