Leaders from the Gusii and Kuria communities convened in Nairobi under the leadership of Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos, setting aside political differences to focus on the future of their communities.
The meeting, which brought together key figures from the region, also saw Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka address allegations linking him to the recent heckling of ODM leader Raila Odinga at Gusii Stadium.
With the 2027 general elections on the horizon, the leaders emphasized the need to secure their communities’ place within the Kenya Kwanza government and ensure they benefit from the current administration’s development agenda.
The discussions followed recent political agreements between the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). Majority Party Whip Silvanus Osoro underscored the importance of unity, stating,
“We felt it was time to sit down and find common ground, despite our differences.” He added, “Our role in this broad-based government is crucial. We needed to find our place, now that UDA and ODM are working together.”
The leaders acknowledged that while the Gusii community is part of the Nyanza region, it is equally committed to benefiting from the national government’s development initiatives. Senator Richard Onyonka used the platform to refute claims that he was involved in the disruption of Raila Odinga’s event at Gusii Stadium.
“What happened in Kisii yesterday had nothing to do with me. That’s not my kind of politics,” he stated. Onyonka described the incident as a pivotal moment for the community, signaling a shift in the political landscape. “I wasn’t apologizing. I actually believed what happened in Kisii was a turning point. Anyone who dismissed it did so at their own risk,” he added.
As the 2027 elections draw closer, the debate over potential presidential candidates intensified during the meeting. Onyonka highlighted the need for equal opportunities for all contenders, mentioning former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and former Chief Justice David Maraga as potential candidates.
“The fact that I said Matiang’i could run for president—if Matiang’i wasn’t the right choice, now Maraga was stepping up,” he remarked.
In a unified move, the leaders agreed to hold an investment conference in 2026 to push for key projects that would ensure the Gusii and Kuria communities benefit from the government’s development agenda. Education CS Julius Migos confirmed the decision, stating,
“We agreed to the 2026 investment conference, which will be held in our region.” Later, Senator Onyonka clarified his participation in the meeting through a press statement on his X (formerly Twitter) handle. He emphasized that his involvement was solely focused on the regional development agenda and not on discussions related to the broad-based political agreements.
