Leaders from the Gusii community held a meeting in Nairobi on November 13, 2024 aimed at charting a common path for the socio-economic development of their region.
The meeting, which brought together Members of Parliament (MPs) from both Nyamira and Kisii counties, focused on addressing critical challenges facing the community and strategizing on how to harness opportunities in the broader national government agenda.
The meeting saw a strong representation from both Nyamira and Kisii counties, though notable absences were also recorded. From Nyamira County, the MPs who attended included Patrick Osero (MP for Borabu Constituency),Clive Gisairo (MP for Kitutu Masaba Constituency), Joash Nyamoko ( MP for North Mugirango Constituency), Stephen Mogaka (MP for West Mugirango), Jerusha Momanyi (Nyamira Woman Representative),and Irene Mayaka (Nominated MP).
Notably absent from the Nyamira delegation was Senator Okong’o Omogeni, who did not attend the meeting due to undisclosed reasons.
From Kisii County, the attendees were Zaheer Jhanda (MP for Nyaribari Chache), Anthony Kibagendi (MP for Kitutu Chache South), Japheth Nyakundi ( MP for Kitutu Chache North), Obadiah Barongo ( MP for Bobasi Borabu), Charles Onchoke (MP for Bonchari) Daniel Manduku (MP for Nyaribari Masaba), Innocent Obiri (MP for Bobasi), Silvanus Osoro ( MP for South Mugirango), and Gloria Orwoba ( Nominated MP)
However, Alfah Miruka (MP for Bomachoge Chache) and Doris Donya (Kisii Woman Representative) were absent.
According to sources, their absence was due to prior engagements, with Donya reportedly out of the country on official duties.
Interestingly, the meeting also included Samuel Arama, the MP for Nakuru Town West.
Arama, though representing a Nakuru constituency, has deep roots in Nyamira County and has expressed interest in vying for the Nyamira gubernatorial seat in the 2027 general elections.
The governors from Kisii and Nyamira counties were notably absent from the gathering. It was clarified that their absence was due to the fact that they were not invited, as the meeting was primarily focused on legislative engagement and strategizing among MPs.
The primary agenda of the meeting revolved around issues affecting the Gusii community, particularly in areas of infrastructure, healthcare, and access to electricity.
The leaders expressed a shared commitment to leveraging their collective influence within the national government to address these challenges.
South Mugirango MP Silvanus Osoro articulated the need for a unified approach in tackling regional issues.
In his remarks, Osoro emphasized the importance of addressing developmental challenges collectively, noting that problems such as poor road networks, inadequate healthcare facilities, and limited access to electricity are not unique to Gusii but are common across many regions in Kenya.
He stated ,“It is in Kenya, the community from Gusii is faced with similar challenges that we all know. The challenges of road networks, the challenges of health, all those challenges that include electricity — I mean, they are not isolated to only other regions. They are also challenges that we face in Gusii. So we start today to evaluate our strength in the broad-based government and our projections and expectations for the next three financial years in regard to the development of our people.”
Osoro further emphasized the need for unity among Gusii leaders to pull resources together for the benefit of the community, underscoring the importance of synergy in advocating for their constituents.
Kisii County Senator Richard Onyonka also spoke at the meeting, highlighting the significance of unity among the Gusii leadership.
In his address, Onyonka called for a collaborative effort to engage with the national government for the benefit of the region.
He acknowledged that while some leaders could not attend the meeting, they had extended their apologies and were in full support of the initiative.
“We are here as a leadership of the Kisii community. For a few members who are not here, they have given their apologies for not attending, but they are with us. As the leadership of Kisii, we are here with all the Members of Parliament from all the 14 constituencies or sub-counties in Gusii. Next time, we believe that our governors and the women reps, especially Mama Doris Donya, will join us.” Onyonka said.
Onyonka further noted the changing dynamics of Kenya’s political landscape, pointing out that the era of intense opposition versus government rivalry is waning. Instead, there is a growing emphasis on working within a broad-based government framework.
“We now have a government that is broad-based. We are no longer having the issues of opposition and other issues. We want to engage the government, and we want to make sure that we are given an opportunity to serve our people. If the government listens to us and agrees to support our community, we will work to ensure that development comes to our areas.”
The leaders reiterated that the meeting was not politically motivated but was driven by the urgent need to address development issues in their constituencies.
The MPs pledged to work together in lobbying for more government resources to be allocated to the Gusii region, particularly in infrastructure, healthcare, and education.
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