Kisii leaders clash over resolutions from key political meeting

Kisii leaders are divided over the resolutions made during a key political meeting held in a Nairobi Hotel on Monday.

Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka has distanced himself from the far-reaching resolutions, including one that pledged support for the broad-based government.

His Nyamira counterpart, Senator Okong’o Omogeni, also criticised the meeting, claiming it did not meet expectations and that he walked out in protest.

The meeting was convened under the leadership of Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, ostensibly to align the region’s development agenda with the Kenya Kwanza government.

However, attendees reported that while the session was framed as a development forum, it quickly turned into a platform for consolidating support for the Kenya Kwanza administration.

A senior MP from Kisii County alleged that the meeting devolved into a session aimed at mocking certain leaders from the region.

Senator Omogeni dismissed the meeting as a 'wasted opportunity', claiming that it failed to address crucial development issues.

“I attended but left early because it turned into a forum for attacking and castigating other Gusii leaders rather than discussing development,” Omogeni claimed.

Senator Onyonka rejected the resolutions read out by Majority Whip Sylvanus Osoro and CS Ogamba, asserting that he was not part of the agreement.

During the meeting, Onyonka confronted Osoro over his criticism of former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i’s potential presidential bid, reaffirming that the former CS would be on the ballot in 2027.

“Mr Osoro, you may assume that because I don’t share much about our plans or meetings, Matiang’i will not run, but let me assure you—he will be there,” Onyonka declared.

In response, Osoro urged the leaders to embrace the broad-based government, emphasising that Matiang’i had not yet announced his candidacy.

“Let’s take things step by step. He hasn’t even confirmed whether he will run,” Osoro told the gathering at a Nairobi hotel.

Beyond the meeting’s resolutions, concerns are growing within Ruto’s camp in Kisii and Nyamira counties over impending government changes, with fears of political casualties.

Last week, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga formalised a political cooperation with President William Ruto, setting the stage for more of his allies to join the government in the coming days.

This has sparked anxiety among Ruto’s supporters in Kisii and Nyamira, who fear being sidelined to make room for Raila’s loyalists as ODM seeks to consolidate its influence in the region ahead of the 2027 elections.

Osoro emphasised that if Raila’s camp is joining the government, it must ensure that the Kisii community benefits from new appointments, considering that those currently in office were brought in through Kenya Kwanza’s efforts.

“Our role in the so-called broad-based government was raised, and while we continue to support the government, we need to establish a clear direction within it,” Osoro stated.

During the meeting, CS Ogamba acknowledged that despite the region’s vast potential, both Kisii and Kuria communities continue to face challenges.

“The meeting agreed to adopt a collaborative and strategic approach to unlocking the region’s true potential,” Ogamba stated in a press release after the meeting.