Leaders clash over bid to unite Abagusii ahead of 2017 polls

Some Gusii politicians have begun a push to ensure the region votes as a bloc in the 2017 General Election. But even before the initiative has gained traction, some leaders say this is unrealisitic.

Abagusii Council of Elders Chairman James Matundura said a good number of leaders had been elected under different parties with different agendas.

“Right now, it may be difficult to forge a single political goal owing to the fact that the electioneering period is just approaching and political re-alignments are about to begin,” said Mr Matundura.

But Bobasi MP Stephen Manoti said the council had not done enough to unite the Abagusii.

Senior members

“The council needs politicians and other senior members from the community to lead it because it holds a crucial role of consolidating the interests of the Abagusii,” said Mr Manoti.

“What lacks in the community is a leader who can unite the people, without causing divisions along clans or political lines. We are trying to come together as opinion leaders, politicians and professionals who are focused on bringing back the unity we enjoyed before multi-party democracy was introduced,” Manoti added.

Professor Sam Ongeri argues that unity can only be achieved through economic prosperity. “You cannot talk of political unity when people are struggling with serious economic challenges, poor education standards and poverty. Such people will never come together because they will be easily divided as they lack common interests,” says Prof Ongeri who is Kenya’s ambassador to the UN-Habitat.

Professor Sam Ongeri. He argues that unity among the Abagusii can only be achieved through economic prosperity. (PHOTO: COURTESY)

But ODM Treasurer Timothy Bosire says the Abagusii vote will go to the opposition. “Issues not based on facts and history have shown that opposition has thrived in Gusii ever since the introduction of multi-party democracy, and this time round, it will be another show as we rout the ruling Jubilee coalition,” said Mr Bosire.

Jubilee has been pushing to win the Kisii vote and a team of leaders appointed by President Uhuru Kenyatta to state parastatals have been campaigning for the coalition in the region.

Recently some local leaders visited Deputy President William Ruto’s Sugoi home in Eldoret, painting a picture of plans to pursue the agenda of joining the Jubilee Party.

Lawyer Andrew Mandi, argues that achieving unity is a pipe dream which may be more difficult for Jubilee to achieve than the Opposition.

The community voted as a bloc in 2002 when retired politician Simeon Nyachae vied for presidency on his Ford-People ticket. In 2007 polls, Raila Odinga’s ODM received nearly 70 per cent of the votes with a similar pattern replicated in 2013.

“What makes it difficult for pro-Jubilee ideals to penetrate the region is the huge number of youth whose interests the Government has not met, making the Opposition remain popular,” he says.

Fredrick Gisiora, says the push to have the Abagusii vote as a bloc may not be achieved. “Currently, the opposition is holding many elective seats in the region, a factor that may make it difficult to tilt the the support base. If Jubilee strongmen can yield anything, then it will be few additional votes that cannot have any significant impact in the final tally,” says Mr Gisiora.

According to a section of politicians, the unity bid is likely increase the Abagusii’s bargaining power especially for leadership opportunities. “As a community, we should focus on achieving unity of purpose that can give us a strong bargaining power,” argues Nyamira Speaker Joash Nyamoko who is eying the North Mugirango parliamentary seat.