Leaders urged to protect, strengthen opposition
Political leaders under the Azimio la Umoja one Kenya alliance in Kisii and Nyamira counties have been asked to unite and strengthen the opposition to enhance checks and balances in the government.
Former South West Kenya Law Society of Kenya ( LSK) chairman, Dennis Nyatundo said the mass exodus by the Azimio la Umoja leaders to the Kenya Kwanza alliance is worrying and poses a threat to democracy and good governance.
He said the country needs a strong opposition and challenged the Azimio la Umoja leaders- losers and winners- in the last poll to be patient and stick to the opposition to play their roles to foster good governance and leadership.
“We need to have a strong opposition to keep the government on toes so that the leaders do not embrace the culture of impunity and abuse power,” Nyatundo told People Daily Digital.
He reminded the leaders that when Ruto was declared president following the Supreme Court’s verdict, he ruled out the handshake between him and the opposition and challenged opposition leaders to do their work for Kenyans to benefit.
His remarks come barely three days after former Kisii county governor, an ally of former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga led a delegation of leaders from Kisii and Nyamira counties to Ruto’s Karen home, eliciting mixed reactions.
The leaders included Janet Ong’era, Chris Obure, Prof. Zadok Ogutu, Manson Oyongo, James Kenani, Zebedeo Opore, Jimmy Angwenyi, Stephen Manoti, Ben Momanyi, Charles Onyancha, William Mbaka Abagusii culture and Development council chairman, James Araka and Emily Nyagarama. The Political leaders vied for elective seats and lost.
Angwenyi, Opore, Manoti, Ogutu and Kenani contested for parliamentary seats in Kitutu Chache North, Bobasi, Bonchari, Bomachoge Borabu and Nyaribari Chache respectively. Oyongo and Obure vied for Kisii County governor’s seat while Emily alias ‘ Riberera’ and Onge’ra fought for Nyamira and Kisii County Woman Representative seats respectively. Mbaka was Obure’s running mate and Onyancha is a former Bonchari lawmaker.
Justine Nyagami, Kitutu Chache South UDA parliamentary loser lauded the leaders for uniting and joining the government, stressing, that it will hasten development in the Gusii community.
He, however, appealed to Ruto to give priority in key appointments in his government to leaders and professionals who campaigned for him.
“There are people who sacrificed their time and resources to campaign for Ruto in Kisii and Nyamira counties where he garnered a sizable number of votes to propel him to victory. It is fair that he rewards them,” Nyagami appealed.
Samwel Omwando, who vied for Kitutu Chache South parliamentary seat as an Independent candidate and lost to ODM’s Anthony Kibagendi said the mass exodus of the Azimio la Umoja leaders to Ruto’s camp was good, adding it means there is no opposition in Kisii county.
“When I brought Ruto to Kisii, the same leaders who had joined him fought me fiercely. Now I have been vindicated,” Omwando told People Daily Digital and urged the President-elect to embrace leaders who have the bottom-up approach in their hearts.
He appealed to Kenyans to embrace Ruto’s bottom up policy, noting that if implemented, it will empower Kenyans economically and boost their lives. ENDS.
