Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has urged the Abagusii community to unite behind former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, dismissing Kisii Governor Simba Arati as a self-declared spokesperson and cautioning residents against what he termed as “ODM political brokers.”
Speaking shortly after Gusii elders publicly endorsed Matiang’i at Ekerenyo Nyamira county as a national leader with presidential potential, Gachagua said the community now has a rare opportunity to reposition itself within Kenya’s power structure ahead of the 2027 General Election. He framed the moment as both political awakening and strategic realignment for the Omogusii people.
According to Gachagua, Matiang’i’s elevation by elders is not merely symbolic but a signal that the community is ready to take a more decisive role in national politics. He urged residents of Kisii and Nyamira counties to rally behind the former Cabinet Secretary, describing him as a disciplined, experienced, and nationally respected leader capable of articulating the region’s interests at the highest level.
Gachagua took particular issue with leaders who have publicly claimed to speak for the community, singling out Governor Arati. He argued that leadership legitimacy must be grounded in broad community consensus rather than individual political positioning.
Without naming specific forums, he said consultative processes among elders and professionals had already pointed to Matiang’i as the figure around whom the region should coalesce.
In a pointed warning, Gachagua criticized the influence of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) in the region, claiming the community had “suffered long enough” by aligning with opposition politics that, in his view, kept it away from the national decision-making table.
He urged residents to rethink long-standing political loyalties and embrace a strategy that would ensure representation in government and access to development opportunities.
“The Omogusii community must now claim its rightful place at the national table,” Gachagua said, emphasizing that unity behind a single national figure would strengthen the region’s bargaining power. He framed political participation not just as electoral competition but as a pathway to influence policy, resource allocation, and national priorities.
His remarks come at a time when Matiang’i’s political visibility is steadily growing across several regions, including Mt. Kenya, Western Kenya, and his Gusii backyard.
For many in the region, Matiang’i’s tenure in government remains a central reference point. He served in key ministries — Education, ICT, and Interior — and at one point chaired a powerful Cabinet committee that coordinated government implementation. Supporters credit him with administrative firmness and results-driven leadership, traits they believe could translate into national appeal.
Gachagua’s endorsement of Matiang’i is also seen by analysts as part of a broader effort to build cross-regional political bridges early in the electoral cycle. By encouraging the Gusii community to align with a national figure from within its ranks, he signaled a strategy that prioritizes consolidation of regional influence before coalition negotiations intensify.
However, Governor Arati’s supporters have previously maintained that his leadership reflects the will of voters who elected him on a platform aligned with ODM. They argue that political pluralism within the region should be respected and that leadership legitimacy flows from electoral mandate rather than external endorsement.
Even so, the debate has energized political discourse across Kisii and Nyamira, with residents, professionals, and youth groups engaging in conversations about representation, unity, and future direction. For many, the central question is not just who leads, but how the community positions itself in a rapidly evolving national political landscape.
Gachagua’s message resonates with a growing sentiment in Kenyan politics — that regional blocs seeking influence must present unified leadership and strategic alliances. By framing support for Matiang’i as a step toward national inclusion, he placed the Gusii region within the broader contest for political realignment ahead of 2027.
With the 2027 race still taking shape, one thing is becoming clear: endorsements, counterclaims, and calls for unity are no longer isolated events but early indicators of a contest that may redefine Kenya’s political map. Whether the Omogusii community ultimately rallies behind a single figure remains to be seen, but the conversation about its place at the national table has unmistakably begun.