Steve Arika: Gusii Nation needs development, it doesn't matter who influences what

BY ERIC ABUGA

Ibeno Ward MCA has refuted claims that members who didn't accompany Governor Arati to State House Nairobi do not support the County boss politically. 

Arika says no Member of the County Assembly was coerced to either travel or not. He says the meeting among those who didn't travel didn't amount to disrespecting any leader including President William Ruto or Governor Arati.

"MCAs are working as a team, whatever they brought to Kisii will be for the benefit of our people. We are elected on different political parties which have been built on different ideologies."

He explains that going to State House was not a must adding that there is no law that compels that everyone visits the President. 

According to Arika, Governor Arati has not declared that he will support President Ruto in 2027. He says the Governor has been working with all leaders for the betterment of the County. 

Arika says; "Going to State House doesn't mean that the leaders have declared their allegiance to the President. It could be that even those who went to State House support Dr Fred Matiangi. Politics is not about preaching the gospel, it is a complicated science."

The UPA elected MCA said leaders in the Country will have to partner should they seek to form successful Governments.

"Politics is local, those seeking top leadership positions will finally seek the opinion of the electorate on which political formations the Gusii community will join. Let's not judge politician on the basis of individuals."

Arika emphasized that Matiangi will eventually make it clear on which political party he use for his Presidential bid.

"He will come back to his people, for now he is out solidifying his based outside the Gusii Community. Matiangi is courting other individuals and communities that he shares the same ideologies with."

On Matiangi's choice of political, Arika says no candidate will win presidency with forming a formidable coalition. 

"As an individual I have the option to support Matiangi. However, there is no law that bars any other leader from supporting other candidates. One doesn't need to mislead the rest, all we need is unity among our people."

He says he will not be among those who will mislead the community or among those who will not listen to the call from the people.

"We must have tolerance and work with all elected leaders. The people made a decision in 2022. It will not change until 2027. The relationship with the electorate will only improve should the leaders seek to actualize their manifestos."