Senator Chris Obure and
group are misleading the Abagusii community
It’s now clear that the pursuit of
Abagusii Unity spearheaded by Senator Chris Obure and former CIC chairman
Charles Nyachae is opportunistically clothed.
They begun the unity
crusades dubbed “obomo bw’omogusii” with vigour, colour, style and splendor;
reminding the Abagusii community the utility of being in government led by
President Uhuru Kenyatta after the 2017 election. They however failed to tell
the people how sure they are that Uhuru will be re-elected for a second.
First of all, I challenge
Senator Chris Obure to tell the people of Gusii what he has done for them in
the last 46 years he has been in active politics; serving in powerful dockets-
Finance, Labour, Public works and Foreign Affairs during the Moi and Kibaki
Presidency!
Secondly, I want to challenge
Charles Nyachae, why he failed to use his legal prowess to lure Uhuru and Ruto
to join Ford People, the party his father used to herd the Abagusii community
in a failed presidential bid in 2002?
Disbanding an old political party
like Ford People to join Jubilee is not only puerile, but extremely illogical.
The trend of disbanding old parties
to join amorphous outfits merely for election not only serves political
interests but inhibits good governance and democratic growth in the country.
Kenyans want political parties wants to see political parties become replicas
of the ANC of South Africa, CCM of Tanzania and Labour Party of Britain.
One wonders where the Party of
National Unity (PNU) which Kibaki used for re-election in 2007 and the National
Rainbow Coalition (Nark) which brought him to power in 2002 are today!
Statehouse delegations are not illegalities except when
they are turned to avenues for political favours and herding communities, which
is a travesty to democracy and devolution in the country.
Of all the delegations to Statehouse, the one led by Kisii
Senator Obure and CIC was more dramatic than the ones from Ukambani, Luhyaland and
Coast. This is because, Obure plays oversight roles in the Senate to ensure
that devolution is strengthened at the Counties.
Secondly, Charles Nyachae was tasked with the
implementation of the current constitution and therefore should be
more informed since the current constitution is very clear on development and
regional balance in the allocation of jobs. Above all, Kenyan taxpayers have a
right to have access to development and get government jobs; political
affiliations notwithstanding.
Begging Uhuru and Ruto for these rights for the people of
Gusii is not only enhancing the politics of sycophancy but also, ploughing
Kenya back to the old repugnant days of Kanu.
Kisii deputy governor Joash Maangi, seems to have borrowed
nothing from his studies in the USA, especially on governance and democratic
leadership. Instead, he is dueling on antiquated leadership Practices which
don’t conform to modern times. Maangi, has completely abdicated his
responsibilities and his main task is to undermine governor James Ongwae to
please his Jubilee masters.
While the Jubilee Party is making
forays in Kisii and Nyamira Counties, the ground has not been easy to
penetrate. During a recent funeral at Bobasi Sub county, Obure and Charles
Nyachae were forced to cut short their speeches due to hostility from a section
of mourners who accused them of misleading the community to join Jubilee.
Secondly, when deputy President
Ruto visited Gusii recently, he was only received by the Nyaribari Chache MP
Richard Tong’i and the Kisii deputy governor. The rest who had expressed
interest to join Jubilee party chickened out. Who knows they have sensed that
their dalliance with the Jubilee government will dent their political careers!
The ODM renegades from Gusiiland
needs to remember that blackmailing ODM leader, Raila Odinga, will not endear
them to the electorates who know how deep the Jubilee government has
marginalized the region. Majority of Kisiis who were displaced from the Rift
Valley during the Post-election violence never got any government compensation
even after their counterparts from Mt Kenya were given land and monetary
compensation to a tune of Kshs. 400,000 per person.
Like all other communities in Kenya, the Abagusii stands
strong in support of the Spirit and letter of Devolution, as enshrined in Kenya
Constitution, 2010. This is the surest way to enhance, advance and promote the
aspect of equality, equity, fairness and better governance in the country.
What is expected of our leaders is to strengthen devolution
through legislation, oversight, and increased allocation of funds to counties
by the national government.
Therefore, the unity pursued by Kisii leaders led by Obure
and Nyachae under the aegis of development sets a negative precedence and if
not curbed will alienate regions which didn’t vote for the current regime and
therefore render the current constitution irrelevant.
