Gusii community leaders unite ahead of Ruto tour
The Gusii community leadership have set out a list of demands for President William Ruto when he visits Kisii and Nyamira counties.
He will take advantage of Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu’s homecoming to tour the region. The region is keen to see what’s in store for them in terms of development in Ruto’s administration.
A networking breakfast at a Nairobi hotel recently attracted close to 200 professionals from the region. They agreed that for the region to advance like others, there is a need to engage the presidency in a structured meaningful way.
The professionals discussed an array of issues, including working closely with Machogu for his homecoming that will be graced by Ruto soon.
“This is a preliminary meeting of a series to come as we wait for the President to confirm his availability for the CS homecoming,” said Walter Mong’are, who officiated the meeting.
However, even as the community is looking forward to the President’s visit which will take him to the two counties, the professionals focused more on the community’s stake in the current government.
Mong’are, popularly known as Nyambane noted that regardless of political affiliations or the outcome of the last presidential election, the only wise move is to support the government of the day to deliver on its promises.
“We have re-ignited this journey to amplify the voices of the community and galvanise our people to support the president. We are keen to get the attention of his government on the potential the community has in the development of the country,” he said.
Emily Matoke, the ODM candidate for the Nyamira Woman Rep post in last year’s General Election said regardless of political affiliations, a time has come when the community needs to come together for a common course.
“We can discuss politics on party affiliations but when it comes to a point where community interests are being discussed, we don’t have an option but to come together,” she told People Daily after attending the meeting.
Kisii Governor, Simba Arati, his predecessor, James Ongwae, former Kitutu Masaba MP, Walter Nyambati, Egerton University Vice Chancellor, Prof Isaac Kibwage, banker, John Simba, National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) boss Skitter Ocharo among many others attended the meeting.
Former Kisii deputy governor Joash Maangi, the chairman of the organising committee for Machogu’s homecoming was also in attendance.
