This archive report was first published on 25 May 2020.
As the country prepares for the next government, the Gusii community is at a crossroads. The deeply rooted political division among its elected leaders and professionals could cost the community dearly unless they put aside their individual ambitions and work towards unity.
According to sources, the majority of elected leaders from the region, including members of parliament, senators, governors, and county assembly members, have been busy championing their selfish interests and witch-hunting their rivals, rather than working towards the community's unity.
While leaders from other communities were strategizing for the next government, those from the Gusii region were engaged in petty squabbles and being used by outsiders to further divide the community.
North Mugirango MP Joash Nyamoko attributed the disunity to egocentricity, jealousy, mistrust, and poverty among the leaders, which he said were detrimental to the community's unity, development, and national politics.
MP Nyamoko specifically criticized Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i, Governors John Nyagarama and James Ongwae, for failing to call for a leaders' meeting to unite the community.
He also accused some of his colleagues of misleading Matiang'i, claiming that some community leaders were against unity, and that the chase for handouts from Matiang'i was a stumbling block to unity.
MP Nyamoko challenged Matiang'i to use his position to bring development to the region, just like ODM leader Raila Odinga and former Cabinet Minister Prof Sam Ongeri did in the past.
