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Magara, Nyamweya kick off campaign to rally Gusii votes

Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 00:00 | By
Kisii politicians Omingo Magara and Fatma Mohammed at a past function. Photo/PD/File

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) boss Omingo Magara and his Kenya National Congress counterpart Manson Nyamweya have kicked off grassroot campaigns to popularise their outfits as possible political vehicles for Gusii region ahead of the next election.

Duo has been holding a series of meetings with grassroot leaders, emphasising the need of the Abagusii to embrace one party like they did in 2002 when they rallied behind Ford People.

Nyamweya says he is preparing the party in anticipation to bag majority seats in Kisii and Nyamira counties.

He has appealed  to the Gusii community to unite a head of the poll.

“We have two parliamentary seats in the National Assembly. I would like serious contenders who will  capture as many seats  as possible in the two counties,” Nyamweya  told delegates at the party’s headquarters at Nyamataro on the outskirts of Kisii town.

Magara on the other hand  has dangled his PDP, and equated it to Ford People, which was founded by former Cabinet Minister Simeon Nyachae, saying the party united the community and had a national outlook. 

“Ford People bagged 10 parliamentary seats in Kisii and Nyamira counties. We are now focusing on winning even more in the next General Election. It is the party to watch,” Magara said.

He described it as democratic, people-driven and best suited to unite the community.

Gusii region is currently dominated by Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement and the governing Jubilee Party with some MPs tilting towards Deputy President William Ruto who has attraccted support of five lawmakers from region and  has been rallying to make inroads in the two counties.

Recently, the PDP leader was hosted by Baringo Senator Gideon Moi at Kabarnet Gardens and the duo are reported to have agreed on a possible merger before the next polls.

Seeks alliances 

Magara, who led a delegation of leaders from Kisii and Nyamira counties noted that coalitions should not be construed to mean PDP will be swallowed, adding the party was open to seek alliances to strengthen the merger.

The former South Mugirango lawmaker said Gusii leaders from the community will seek coalitions with other political parties to be part and parcel of the next government.  

He said voters from the community have been offering swing votes to catapult leaders to the top seat, adding that leaders from the region will bargain for the community to get a fair share of the national cake.

 On his part, Nyamweya, who unsuccessfully vied for Kisii gubernatorial seat in 2017   said he would try his luck again in 2022. 

 “The party will offer a platform for popular leaders in the counties to be elected to boost the community’s bargaining power after the next General-Election,” Nyamweya said. 

He has thrown his weight behind constitutional amendments being pushed by the  Building Bridges Initiative and urged Kenyans to support it; topping the creation of many seats in the national government will ease tension after a stormy presidential election, which divides the country politically.

“I support the fight against graft and the creation of many political seats. If the government recovers all stolen money, it can pay a prime minister and deputies” he said.  

Kisii County Kanu chairman Pius Nyambane has started selling the party in the area to reclaim its space after the Orange Democratic Party (ODM) made inroads and took root.

Nyambane says they have started an aggressive campaign to recruit members online to strengthen the party at the grassroots to propel it to power in 2022.

“Our presidential candidate in 2022 is the Kanu chairman, Gideon. We want the party to win many elective seats in the next poll to prove that it is popular,” Nyambane told People Daily in Kisii.

Nyambane said Kanu advocates unity, social and economic development.

The community has no presidential aspirant but leaders have agreed they will forget their political differences and support one of their own if he gets a backing from other leaders and communities.

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