UDA allies in Gusii land eye State appointments

Kisii County UDA Gubernatorial Aspirant Ezekiel Machogu addresses Nyaboiuto residents in Nyaribari Chache. [Sammy Omingo, Standard]

Kenya Kwanza leaders from Kisii and Nyamira counties who spearheaded the coalition's campaigns in the region are angling for appointments should President-elect William Ruto be sworn in.

The leaders delivered more than 25 per cent of the votes cast in the region that has in the past been considered Raila Odinga's stronghold.

Despite complaints from the team about harassment during campaigns, it delivered five parliamentary seats out of 13.

However, Kenya Kwanza lost all county seats to their Azimio rivals in what they said was as a result of intimidation and alleged manipulation of results by State actors.

The region went against the wave in Nyanza and voted for Ruto, the UDA presidential candidate, who garnered 135,326, translating to 33 per cent of the total valid votes cast in Kisii. The county has 637,111 registered voters.

Raila got 265,078 votes (65 per cent) in Kisii while in Nyamira, with 323,283 registered voters the ODM party leader got 129,025 (61 per cent) against Ruto's 78,356 (37 per cent).

However, Ruto scored dismally in Migori 15 per cent, Homa Bay 0.87 per cent, Kisumu 2.32 per cent and Siaya 1.15 per cent.

In Nyaribari Chache, Zaheer Jhanda defied all odds to become the first non-local to be elected as MP in Gusiiland while Japheth Nyakundi ousted long-serving Kitutu Chache MP Jimmy Angwenyi.

Joash Nyamoko, Alfa Miruka and Sylvanus Osoro for North Mugirango, Bomachoge Borabu and South Mugirango respectively said they fought against the State to recapture their parliamentary positions.

Ogamba Migosi, Kisii UDA deputy governor candidate, said they lost because of constant attacks from the State.

"We were at the receiving end from the police and some senior government officials. We issued scathing press statements that were never favourable to some government officials."

"We are proud of Ruto's win and as much as we will not benefit from the appointments, we will be proud to have the Kenya Kwanza policies implemented. If our efforts are recognised, then it will be an added advantage to us. We never did all that we did with the mind that we will be rewarded, we will not fight anybody for positions," said Migosi.

Ezekiel Machogu, the UDA Kisii governor candidate, said Ruto's win will lead to the completion of road projects in the region.

"We may not gain individually but all we pray for is completion of projects. Our people were punished with incomplete projects because of their affiliations to certain leaders. Our wish is that we have more projects coming to our side."

Advocate Cliff Ombeta who unsuccessfully vied for the Bonchari seat on a UDA ticket said Ruto's win would usher in new opportunities for the community.

Pavel Oimeke, who dropped out of the Bonchari race after being denied the ODM ticket and joined grassroots campaigns for UDA, said the region had shown democracy.

"Some of us went against the alleged wave in Nyanza because we listened to our people. They heard the voice and opted to give a chance to alternative leadership. It is time to focus on what ails the community and begin on a fresh chapter. We have high hopes that the new government will give us the opportunity to serve at the national level and bring development to our villages."

Okengo Nyambane and Chweya Matoke, who dropped their senatorial and governorship bids, are optimistic that the region will have professionals in the national government.

"We did our part during the campaigns. This was against all odds, Ruto's victory and performance in Gusii region is a clear indication that there is renewed hope to have a different form of leadership," said Matoke.