OMWENGA: Gusii vote locked for Jubilee’s Matiang’i in 2027

When now Jubilee deputy leader Fred Matiang’i had his homecoming in the Gusii region in May last year, the masses that showed up made it known to the world that he was the undisputed leader of Abagusii and one the community had blessed to seek the presidency.

The homecoming was both historic and momentous. Historic because no one before him, not even his political mentor Simeon Nyachae had drawn such a large and enthusiastic crowd. Former ODM leader Raila Odinga and the current occupant of State House did their best, but this is the son of the community we are talking about. No comparison.

The homecoming was momentous because it instantly boosted the former CS’s stature at the national level. So much so that someone tried to goad Matiang’i to go “lock the Kisii vote” before coming to the national table to negotiate. Matiang’i promptly dismissed this as nothing but an effort to try and confine him to Gusii, so he ignored the slight and went on with his current trajectory.

That trajectory brought him and other leaders of the alternative government back to Gusii in a showing that can only be mildly described as having jolted State House into shock and disbelief.

The masses who showed up in each of the planned events loudly and enthusiastically shouted for the politically deaf to hear that Matiang’i has the Gusii vote locked for him and his allied elective office seekers ¾ and that Abagusii too are saying it’s time for new leadership to finally deliver Kenya from the shackles of poverty, the high cost of living and failed leadership.

The former CS embodies that leadership and so does the alternative government, including Senator Edwin Sifuna’s Linda Wananchi movement. Collectively, what these leaders present is no different. In fact, they are poised to be bigger than the forces that defeated President Daniel Moi’s efforts in 2002.

The irony of it is the collateral damage in the 2002 battle was none other than now-retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, who is a key figure in the alternative government efforts in general, and specifically in the Matiang’i bid for State House.

It is sweet irony because what the masses rejected in 2002 was Moi’s attempt to force down their throats someone they did not want as president because they were rightly concerned installation of that individual as president would have been an extension of the Kanu regime everyone wanted to see gone.

What the masses are rejecting already for 2027 is giving the current occupant of State House a second term. Of course, there are those who have their heads buried in the ground and will vote for him blindfolded for reasons that range from emotionally driven allegiance (read nebocho — or he’s ours) to the please-do-not-disturb-us-while-we’re-eating mandarins.

Whatever their motivation, they are in the minority and the building tsunami of a united opposition would render their votes irrelevant in preventing the inevitable.

That said, no one is fooled to believe beating President William Ruto will be a walk in the park. Far from it. However, the playbook and road to victory for both sides are the same as they were in 2002: For the alternative government, simply remaining united and backing one candidate to prevent splintering the opposition.

If Nani bolts and goes it alone — and your guess is a good one, then the remaining opposition stays focused, mobilised like there is no tomorrow and the masses still vote and trounce the opponent.

For Ruto, the playbook is what he is very good at: chicanery, empty promises and slogans intended to woo the gullible when he’s not busy trying to splinter the opposition with a monetary war chest he has accumulated over the years and still building, but even money against the determined masses is nothing.

The public hunger for change is inescapable, and so too is the youth’s quest to be finally heard after being taken for granted for so long.

Matiang’i appeals to voters as the one best placed to bring about this change. His resonance with the Gen Z and older folk as well because of his remarkable and incomparable performance as a civil servant among those vying render him the hands-down, common sense choice to lead the alternative government coalition ticket for 2027.