Who will take over from Nyachae as Gusii Spokesman

Former Cabinet minister and ex-Nyaribari Chache MP, Simeon Nyachae during the requiem mass of the late Internal Security minister George Saitoti in Nairobi on June 15, 2012. [File, Standard] The Gusii community has remained without a spokesman since the late former Cabinet Secretary Simeon Nyachae left the political scene, with the position remaining unclaimed for several years. Nyachae, who served as Chief Secretary and Cabinet Minister during the tenure of the late Presidents Daniel arap Moi and Mwai Kibaki, managed to galvanise the community and vied for the presidency during the 2002 General Election on a FORD People party ticket. In the 2002 General Election, the late Nyachae managed to win 15 parliamentary seats across the country-mainly in Kisii and Nyamira counties-and garnered over 300,000 presidential votes, emerging third behind Kibaki, while former President Uhuru Kenyatta came second. Nyachae became a political force in the Gusii region after falling out with President Moi, with whom he had worked closely for many years. He charted his own political path, and powerful politicians in the region who opposed the Ford People political wave lost their seats. He met his political downfall in the 2007 General Election when he lost his Nyaribari Chache seat to Robert Monda, then a political greenhorn. His party also performed poorly in that election, prompting his retirement from politics. He led a private life until his death in 2021. Since Nyachae's exit from the political stage, several politicians-including former Kisii Senators Chris Obure and Sam Ongeri, both of whom served as Cabinet Ministers during the Moi and Kibaki regimes-have tried to fill the gap, but none has been successful, eventually losing their seats. Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i has been linked to the 2027 General Election as a presidential candidate. It will be interesting to see whether he will succeed in rallying the community behind him, as his political mentor Nyachae did in 2002. Matiang'i previously served as a personal assistant to the late Nyachae and later as the presidential campaign manager for the wealthy politician during his presidential bid on the Ford People party ticket. He made a name for himself as a no-nonsense Cabinet Secretary during the ten years he served under President Uhuru Kenyatta. He was appointed to the Ministry of Information in 2013, then moved to Education, and later to the Ministry of Interior after the 2017 General Election. Matiang'i is credited with streamlining the education sector and ending examination cheating, earning him accolades from Kenyans. Uhuru appointed him Chairperson of the National Development Implementation and Communication Cabinet Committee, making him the first among equals. Uhuru also entrusted Matiang'i with the responsibility of overseeing the delivery of all national government programmes and projects, a position in which he reported directly to the Head of State from January 2019-placing him slightly above other Cabinet Secretaries in rank. Former Chief Justice David Maraga has recently emerged as a potential presidential candidate in the upcoming General Election and has intensified his countrywide tours, leading to speculation that he may be positioning himself as the Gusii community's next spokesman. Maraga presided over the Supreme Court when it nullified the disputed 2017 Presidential Election, in which Uhuru had been declared the winner. He cited irregularities, earning both local and international praise for making an unprecedented and bold decision. However, Maraga's apparent interest in the presidency has caused unease among some members of the community, who believe he is being used to undermine Matiang'i's prospects in 2027. How this unfolds remains to be seen. In 2018, Kisii Governor Simba Arati was ceremonially crowned as the Gusii community spokesman at his rural home. He stated that he enjoyed the support of both youth and elders from Kisii and Nyamira counties, who had approached him to fill the vacuum left by Nyachae's demise. "My interest in becoming the Gusii community spokesman is inspired by my aspiration to unite the community so that we can speak with one voice-just like other major communities-as I look at the bigger picture of one day becoming the President of Kenya," Arati said at the time. However, members of the Gusii Council of Elders, led by their chairman James Matundura, dismissed the move to crown Arati, vowing not to allow such a ceremony in Kisii or Nyamira counties, arguing that he did not consult them. Matundura stated that the position of community spokesman is neither hereditary nor subject to voting. Even Nyachae, he noted, had to prove himself before he was recognised. Those aspiring to the position must similarly demonstrate their worth. "One of the qualifications to be the Gusii spokesman is the ability to link the community with the rest of the country-someone who can easily reach the president and other leaders in the interest of the community. That means this person must be well-known and well-connected," said Matundura. The Council of Elders chairman admitted that the Gusii community has long lacked a leader recognised across the board. Those who have declared presidential ambitions must prove themselves before a spokesman can be identified. Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, currently serving his fourth term in Parliament, argued that he fits the bill in terms of experience. His late father, former Cabinet Minister Zachary Onyonka, served in Parliament for a record 26 years. Onyonka added that there was a growing push for the Gusii community to have its own political party. He stated that if Matiang'i either forms a new party or joins an existing one, the community is ready to rally behind him in his presidential bid. "Matiang'i can electrify the Gusii community, as he is already nationally known for being a hard worker who delivers results. As a community, we are proud to present him to the rest of the country," said Onyonka. Gusii Parliamentary Caucus Chairman Joash Nyamoko said that the community currently lacks political value, despite having over one million votes, due to its lack of unity and cohesion, which makes it less attractive to political partnerships. The North Mugirango MP noted that President Ruto reached out to both his predecessor and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga while forming a broad-based government, recognising them as influential leaders who could not be ignored. "As elected leaders from the Gusii region, we have disappointed our people. Each of us is chasing personal opportunities while undermining others, instead of coming together as leaders to champion what is best for our community," said Nyamoko. Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi observed that since Nyachae's death, the Gusii community has lacked a strong figurehead. This is why many in the community are now rallying behind Matiang'i to champion their interests. Kibagendi said it was time the community had a spokesman, noting that other communities already have theirs: the Kalenjin have President Ruto; the Agikuyu have Uhuru and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua; the Akamba have former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka; and the Coast is represented by Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho. He added that the Luhya community is represented by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, arguing there is nothing wrong with the Gusii community having a national leader as its spokesman. "The reason the Gusii community is often overlooked is because we lack a spokesman to unify us and push our agenda. That's why we are rallying behind Matiang'i as our leader and presidential candidate," said Kibagendi. United Progressive Alliance (UPA) National Chairman Nyambega Gisesa stated that Matiang'i had already distinguished himself as a great public servant in the roles he previously held and is well suited to be the community's spokesman. Gisesa added that he believes Matiang'i is a stronger candidate than his mentor Nyachae, due to the current political dynamics. He also noted that Matiang'i appeals to both Gen Z and "tribeless" Kenyans, positioning him favourably on the national stage. Political risk analyst Dismas Mokua noted that a community spokesman must be capable of dispensing both reward and punishment. The last Gusii politician with such capacity, he said, was the late Nyachae, whose financial and political muscle gave him significant influence. "The Gusii community has not had a spokesman because it has become more liberal. No single politician has shown the capacity to represent its collective interests and aspirations. The region has the highest concentration of political parties, with voters rarely putting their eggs in one basket," said Mokua. He added that while many prominent figures have expressed interest in becoming community spokesmen, they must also exhibit political killer instincts and possess national and international stature.

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