Ruto, Matiang'i wrestle over one million Gusii region voter basket

Although it has not been as full blown as the war he has waged against Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, President William Ruto is embroiled in a more silent, but robust, fight to torpedo Jubilee party deputy party leader Fred Matiang’i political grip of the Gusii region

The intense onslaught against the former Interior Cabinet Secretary’s has hit unprecedented levels after last month’s by-elections in which all three Member of County Assembly candidates allied to Dr Matiang’i won their seats, whitewashing Broad-Based Government-backed candidates

The by-elections all but confirmed the fact that the Gusii region was firmly behind Matiang’i, with the victories leaving egg on the face of President Ruto’s hitherto local pointmen Sylvanus Osoro (National Assembly Chief Whip) and Kitutu Chache and North MP Japheth Nyakundi who is also United Democratic Party (UDA) treasurer.

Ahead of the campaigns, the two who were supported by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migosi ran a well-oiled campaign to win the seats.

This was a contradiction to Matiang’i’s less moneyed campaign, which the former Cabinet Secretary only stepped up just four days to the end of the official campaign period.

The bitter defeat seemed to have riled Ruto who has quickly moved to tinker with his Gusii political team. He has appeared to have replaced Osoro and Nyakundi, with Nyaribari Chache MP Zaheer Jhanda.

Past week

President Ruto has also wooed Nyaribari Masaba MP Daniel Manduku from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to his UDA party. Manduku, who had all along shown interest in supporting Matiang’i has this past week declared his support for Ruto.

The defection has sparked an online criticism of Manduku, with area residents threatening to reject him in 2027.

The increased activity followed months of regular visits by the government’s “empowerment” teams to both Kisii and Nyamira counties, many of them led by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.

Since signs emerged that Matiang’i would throw his hat into the presidential ring, the Gusii region has coiled around him, viewing him as the key uniting factor of a region which has lacked a clear kingpin since the era of former late Cabinet Secretary Simeon Nyachae.

Matiang’i has emerged as the clear glue that is holding the community together, a move that makes anyone going against him look like a spoiler.

It is indeed the reason why former Chief Justice David Maraga, a man of good credentials, is frowned upon in the Gusii region just because he is seen as one with some chance of hurting Matiangi’s 100 per cent support in the region.

But it is being argued that Ruto’s political bus from the region is being driven by men and women with little grassroots support at a time he needs credible people to compete with the Matiangi’s political juggernaut that includes fiery Kisii Governor Richard Onyonka.

Two of the legislators that Ruto is relying on, for example, are facing corruption allegations, raising questions as to the genuineness of backing the government.

State protection

It could appear the legislators are seeking State protection against prosecution.

Ruto’s new machinery also includes Kisii Governor Simba Arati who has been a firm supporter of the Broad-based Government by dint of his position as a deputy party leader of the ODM.

Simba is currently blowing hot and cold over his support of Matiang’i and has lately been rooting for the two-term clarion call of Ruto’s re-lection bid.

The governor’s recent two-term declaration has contradicted his earlier statements that he would not ditch Matiang’i at any cost.

Unlike the public spat with Kalonzo, Ruto has openly avoided a verbal confrontation with Matiang’i even when his ground efforts are covertly seeking to dim the star of the former Education Cabinet Secretary.

The President’s underground machinery underscores his determination to get a slice of the populous region’s vote basket.

As of 2022, the two counties had a total vote basket of 960,293. Kisii County had 637,010 votes while Nyamira had 323,283 votes.
With the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission intensifying the voter registration exercise, the number of votes in the region would pass the one million mark.

With the country gearing for the 2027 General Election, many would watch to see how Ruto and Matiang’i wrestle over the two Omogusii counties’ votes.

-The writer is a political science student, University of Nairobi