Kisii professionals want Raila to retain Matiang’i at Interior
A team of lawyers and other professionals from the Kisii community who are affiliated to the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition want presidential candidate Raila Odinga to make a public declaration about the position he intends to give Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i if he becomes president.
They said they were happy that Raila had promised to retain Matiang’i if he forms the next government but asked him to be more specific.
Led by advocate Danstan Omari, the professionals said the stake of the community in Raila’s government must be clearly defined before the general election.
Omari said that for a long time, the Abagusii had been used as a political ladder by presidential candidates “who abandon the community after winning power”.
“We have heard and seen Raila naming dockets which could be given to Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and Agriculture minister Peter Munya after winning the presidency and as a community we want him to declare whether he is going to retain Matiang’i in his current docket or not,” he said.
Omari also demanded an assurance from Raila that members of the Abagusii community working in the national government must be retained and protected.
When Raila visited Nyamira County last week for his presidential campaigns, he asked members of the Abagusii community to support his candidature with a promise that he could retain Matiang’i in his government if he wins the election.
He did not, however, specify if he would retain him at the Interior docket.
Addressing a press conference in Nyamira town yesterday, Omari asked members of the community to support Raila who, he said, has a soft political landing for the Kisii community compared to his main political competitor, Deputy President William Ruto.
He warned that if Raila does not confirm Matiang’i as his Interior Cabinet Secretary before next month’s General Election, the community could make an alternative decision.
Meanwhile, members of Kamba Nane clans in Nyaribari Chache constituency in Kisii county have failed to agree on who to back for the parliamentary seat.
Kamba Nane
Consequently, the leaders have appealed to voters to elect either Eric Obino, veteran journalist vying on a Kanu ticket, or Chris Bichage, who is an Independent candidate.
Peter Nyamweya, the Kamba Nane patron, said the committee had failed to convince Obino and Bichage, both who hail from Bomobea clan, to reach a compromise on who should drop out in favour of the other.
“Kamba Nane will decide the next Member of Parliament in Nyaribari Chache. The MP’s seat will rotate within the clans,” Nyamweya said.
The clans include Bomobea, Bonyamasicho, Bonyameyio, Bonyakoni, Mwamonda, Bogeka, Mwaboto and Mwamoriango.
The official said the clans will negotiate with governor candidates on their stake in the county government.
“We have more voters. The deputy governor seat Simba Arati has offered Robert Monda is not enough. We need more slots,” Nyamweya said.
Obino challenged candidates for various seats to continue with peaceful campaigns as the country nears the August 9 General Election.
“Let us solicit for votes peacefully,” Obino told People Daily on phone yesterday.
The candidate said he is in the race to the end, saying if elected, he will disburse bursary funds fairly.
