Who bewitched Kisii politically?
Written by Nyachae Brian on March 21, 2025
Preparations for the 2027 general elections have started taking shape. Negotiations countrywide are a top priority, every community eyeing a good share of the national cake.
Retired Chief Justice David Maraga and former cabinet secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i are some of the names expected to contest for the presidency.
The political discourse in the Kisii community currently is that only one candidate should be fronted from the region to square it out with the incumbent, president William Ruto.
George Nyakundi(HSC) who was nationally recognized by the president as a hero in indigenous knowledge argues that while it is prudent to have one candidate from the region, the constitution gives anyone right to vie for any political seat.
“It doesn’t matter how many you are from a region. In 2002 when Kibaki clinched the presidency, there were other candidates from the central region, therefore Kisii cannot be an isolated case,” Says George
However, Nyakundi argues that historically the community has had challenges uniting politically. He further attributes this to a purported curse by the great grandmother of Abagusii whose name was Kimanyi Nyakomogendi
“Nyakomogendi was very old and sick. Her children, our forefathers, deserted her in Kisumu. Before dying, she cursed them saying, ‘go be wealthy but you will never shake hands.’ This is the genesis of Abagusii hardly agreeing politically.” Explains George
He further narrates on how the late president Jomo Kenyatta tasked James Nyamweya and Lawrence Sagini to consult the community on whom they could prefer for the position of vice president. According to George, the two failed to agree, each chest thumping that they were the people’s choice. This forced Kenyatta to give the position to Daniel Moi
Wrangles continue
Currently, Nyamira County has two rival assembly speakers. The ousted Speaker Enock Okero maintains he is still legally in office and has since embarked on holding sittings at the grassroots. On the other hand, Ekerenyo ward MCA Thaddeus Nyabaro maintains he is now the legitimate assembly speaker after being elected by the ward reps
The county governor has also twice survived an impeachment attempt by the Members of County Assembly
The sister county, Kisii has not had it smooth either. The county governor and a section of leaders have been trading verbal exchanges in various functions and social media. An attempt by the elders previously to reconcile those leaders proved futile. It is only the handshake between Azimio leader Raila Odinga and president William Ruto that led to calm.
“We tried to assemble the leaders together for reconciliation. They did not honor our invite, each explaining they had opted to consult members of the clergy,” Explains George.
Voters Basket
Some leaders have maintained that the region lacks the numbers to clinch the presidency. According to Janet Omani who champions for social matters from the region, “Kisii and Nyamira have always been used as a pendulum, filling up the votes for candidates from other regions to clinch the presidency.”
“The obvious political fragmentation in the region provides opportunity for other leaders taking advantage, that is why it becomes hard for someone from Kisii to competitively bargain for the presidency.” Argues Janet
In the last general election. Azimio candidate Raila Odinga garnered 265, 078 votes which is 65% of the total number of registered voters in Kisii county (637,111). The president who vied under the Kenya Kwanza ticket got 135, 326 votes (33.59%)
In Nyamira, Raila got 129,025 votes (61.84%) while Ruto got 78, 356 votes (37.55%) of the 323,283 registered voters
This voting pattern further illustrates the fact the region has hardly agreed on supporting one candidate thus dividing the votes.
Cumulatively Kisii and Nyamira has over 960 million voters according to the last general elections Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission(IEBC) register.
According to Pr Paul Nyamweya, the number of voters from the community would be higher than that. “That is why people from the region have been voted for elsewhere,” explains Nyamweya citing example of Nakuru West MP Samwel Arama and several other leaders who have been elected in other region despite coming from Kisii.
Who will bring order?
Each leader from the region seems to advance personal interests. According to Nyamweya, currently no single individual or group has the moral and political authority to unite the community. He says even members of the clergy are badly compromised, “some being openly known as youth wingers of certain politicians and political coalitions”
“The elders also seem to have lost legitimacy since politicians hardly listen to them.” Explains Nyamweya
According to Janet, the weakest link among the omogusii community is the ardent “inability to speak one political language”
The clock towards 2027 is tickling. Will the people from the region unite and rally behind one candidate for the presidency? Only time will tell.
Head of Radio/Media Programming Expert/Broadcasting & Journalism/Virtual Assistant/Radio Vuna
