Once allies in UDA party, Zaheer and Machogu turn political foes

BY ERIC ABUGA

The last two months have seen verbal attacks on Nyaribari Chache MP Zaheer Jhanda who is serving his first term in office.

Monday afternoon, Zaheer was forced to walk away with his supporters from a funeral service in the Counstituency as pro-government and anti-government leaders differed as they made their speeches.

The MP could later address his supporters at the nearby primary school grounds where he responded to his critics.

Zaheer had attended the funeral service of the late Esther Tongi, Mother to former area MP Riachard Tongi.

His latest critic has turned out to be former Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu whom together n the 2022 General Elections campaigned for President William Ruto.

After the June 2024 GenZ protests, Machogu was dropped from the Cabinet with his position taken over by the current Education Cabinet Secretary Migos Ogamba.

Migos had deputised Machogu in their quest to become top County bosses in Kisii through the August general elections and throught the UDA party ticket.

And now Machogu belives it was a mistake to elect Zaheer as a member of parliment representing the people of Nyariba Chache, a counstituency that was once led by the former powerful Cabinet Minister, the late Simon Nyachae.

Machogu says; "These young leader should understand that am the person who brought Ruto to Kisii. I now believe Kenyans are tired with the current regime."

He says, "Nyaribari Chache needs new leadership. All our Gusii sons and daughters must come together to esnure that we have supported our own. Nyaribari people have also agreed to remain united."

UDA MPs Japhet Nyakundi (Kitutu Chache North), Slyvanous Osoro (South Mugirango) and Zaheer Jhanda (Nyaribari Chache)

Whoever, Zaheer believes Machogu is playing double standards. "He has his own blood serving the Head of State. He should tell his kin to resign from Government before he beigns to attack the same Kenya Kwanza leadership."

The MP says much as he is young, he deserves respect as an elected leader from Gusii region. "I was not elected by an indiviual who thinks he cannot the Community. I was given the mandate by the electorates. They won't scare me with their cheap politics."

A close ally to President William Ruto and a Government friendly legislator, Zaheer beat all odds to became the first non-local to be elected into parliment from Nyaribari Chache. 

In an early interview, Zaheer said Kisii remains his home. "I was born here and my wife, Alice Moraa comes from here. Hence, my choice to lead the people Nyaribari Chache."

Nyaribari Chache is one of the nine constituencies in Kisii County and a largely cosmopolitan constituency alongside Kitutu Chache South.

Former Education Cabinet Secretary Ezikiel Machogu

With his win, the MP broke the ethnic and clan politics that are deeply rooted in the Abagusii community.

However, his victory in the last eelctions didn't go well with some seasoned politicians from the area who still believe they have to be led by a 'native'.

Meetings; theamed 'Nyaribari Unity' have been held in the recent past aimed at crippling the MP's influence in the area with a focus on 2027 race. 

Despite the ongoing political realignments in the region Zaheer says their strength has always been in their unity yet divisions have slowed their collective progress.

"Our role as leaders is to bridge differences and forge a common front that advances the interests of our people. A divided community risks missing out on the benefits of government-driven development."

He believes shunning divisive Politics and embracing a united approach will guarantee that the development agenda benefits the community most.