President Ruto’s tactical approach on the Gusii region as the community seeks to solidify its political base

BY ERIC ABUGA

President William Ruto Thursday morning held a second meeting with a section of leaders from Gusii, barely wo weeks after he held a similar meeting with more than 6,000 grassroot leaders from the two counties.

Yesterday’s meeting attracted sharp reactions from leaders including MCAs wo boycotted the meeting terming it a waste of time.

The seasoned and young MCAs from Kisii County declined the President’s invite as the Gusii voter becomes a more interesting lot.

Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo didn’t sow for the meeting as was the case with senators from both Kisii and Nyamira; Richard Onyonka and Okongo Omogeni.

President seems to have packaged a new center of political power in Nyamira through the newly elected Assembly Speaker Thadeus Nyabaro.

Whoever, Kisii Governor Simba Arati attended the meeting days after he declared his unequivocal support for President Ruto and his administration.

Arati seems to have abandoned his 2022 supporter and now Presidential hopeful Dr Fred Matiangi.

Governor Arati said Gusii leaders will work closely with the National Government to improve the lives of Kisii and Nyamira residents.

"As ODM, we will work with the government. We are confident that President Ruto will change Kenya especially now that he is working with Raila Odinga," he said.

Kisii Governor Simba Arati

The fast political happenings in the region seem to have thrown Dr Matiangi and his team underwater following his dull approach to naming his political party of choice ahead of the 2027 General elections. 

In the meeting also attended by ODM party leader Raila Odinga, President Ruto reaffirmed his commitment to work with all leaders for national transformation and prosperity.

The President said the transformation of Kenya will only be achieved if leaders take a common stand on development.

"We have a rare and historic opportunity to make every part of our country truly prosperous," President Ruto pointed out.

He told the meeting that the government is rolling out transformative programs and projects in the region.

The President said that in Kisii, the government is building 15,000 affordable housing units worth Sh30 billion, four large markets at Sh2.4 billion, with Sh2.5 billion set aside for student hostels at the universities and colleges in the two counties.

In Nyamira, President Ruto said the government is driving equally transformative projects worth more than Sh16 billion, including 7,000 housing units, student hostels, and three modern markets that will anchor trade and economic growth.

Additionally, 32,000 homesteads in Kisii and Nyamira counties will be connected to reliable electricity, unlocking commerce, enabling industries, and giving the residents tools to thrive.

The President said Sh7.9 billion has been disbursed to pay pending road bills in the two counties.

He explained that Kisii Stadium would be further expanded and modernized at a cost of Sh500 million.

A fierce critic of President Ruto’s regime, Kiutu South MP Anthony Kibagendi says the MCAs from Kisii and Nyamira including their leadership who went to statehouse had nothing new to discuss other than doing tea and snacks.

“They said they are going to "look o development", after I read the President's update on social media, it is the same old story. These are ongoing projects that we have spoken about for ages, only that the Housing units are exaggerated.”

He said Gusii has only about 5000 units across the two counties and, most of which he said are in his constituency including the Hostels and the markets being constructed.

“They only went to State House to embarrass Dr Fred Matiangi. The voters will deal with you,” said Kibagendi.

Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi.

Kisii County Assembly Minority Chief Whip Bouse Mairura (UDA) says as a sober-minded leader, he firmly believes that President Ruto has already been receiving and considering the grievances of the Gusii nation the latest engagement being barely three weeks ago.

“Yesterday’s meeting was more than political Public Relations; I do not subscribe to that. Our people must now put to task those leaders who have made frequent visits to State House to demonstrate what tangible outcomes they will bring home from such engagements.”

Mairura says, “I call upon the Gusii nation to stand firm and remain united in our shared course to fight for the leadership and future of this country. There is no harm in this, after all, Kenya is a democracy.”

Basi Boitangare Representative Thomas Obare, two weeks ago President Ruto had given a raft of promises including expansion of Gusii stadium, Daraja mbili market expansion, various roads and many other projects.

“As a son of Gusii I must confirm that the meeting that was held yesterday doesn't hold anything developmental agenda about Kisii rather than politics.”

The meeting also comes at a time when broad-based leaders from the region have steeped up efforts to popularize the president and his team.

The team led by National Assembly Majority Chief Whip Sylvanus Osoro has so far traversed four Constituencies in a span of one week meeting locals.