This archive report was first published on 10 July 2019.
Gusii Region Divided as Ruto and Matiang'i Vie for Votes ¶
As the 2022 general elections draw near, the Gusii region in Kenya is witnessing a heated battle for votes between Deputy President William Ruto and Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i.
Two major political camps have emerged in the region, with one camp backing Matiang'i as their preferred candidate for the presidency. The camp includes governors James Ongwae (Kisii) and John Nyagarama (Nyamira), senators Okongo Omogeni (Nyamira) and Sam Ongeri (Kisii), MPs Richard Onyonka (Kitutu Chache South) and Samuel Arama (Nakuru West), among others.
The pro-Ruto camp, on the other hand, includes MPs Joash Nyamoko (North Mugirango), Vincent Kemosi (West Mugirango), Shadrack Mose (Kitutu Masaba), and others.
Recently, the pro-Matiang'i group held a funds drive at Gesiaga Secondary School in West Mugirango constituency, where they endorsed Matiang'i as their preferred candidate for the presidency. The group accused the Ruto team of being a club of traitors and hired guns who were being used by Ruto to block Matiang'i's chances of winning the presidency.
However, the Ruto team responded by organizing two funds drives in Nyamira county, where they invited Deputy President Ruto as the chief guest. The funds drives were held at Ekerenyo in North Mugirango and Rigoma in Kitutu Masaba constituencies, respectively.
Leading the onslaught against Matiang'i, West Mugirango MP Vincent Kemosi dismissed the group that had endorsed Matiang'i, arguing that it had misled him to contest for the seat which he had no qualifications to. Kemosi also accused Matiang'i of being a failure who had not used his position to change the lives of his people.
