Elders endorse Interior CS Matiang'i to be Gusii kingpin

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i was on Sunday endorsed to be the Kisii community spokesman.

The Gusii Council of Elders made the announcement after a four-hour meeting at Agricultural Training Centre in the outskirts of Kisii town.

Elders' chairman James Matundura said an event to officially crown Matiang'i as an elder and spokesman will be held at a later date. 

“We want to thank the CS for accepting to attend our meeting and consenting to our request to be the spokesman of the community. He meets all the requirements we were looking at,” Matundura told journalists. The CS did not address journalists. 

Council patron Patrick Mainye said it was the elders’ initiative to have Matiang'i installed as an elder and spokesman.

Governor James Ongwae, his Nyamira counterpart Amos Nyaribo, senators Sam Ongeri (Kisii) and Okong’o Omogeni of Nyamira agreed to back the CS in his new role.

Kisii Woman Representative Janet Ong’era and her Nyamira counterpart Jerusha Momanyi were present. 

Governor Ongwae welcomed the elders' decision. “As a people, we must be united and be on the high table so that we can benefit when the national cake is being shared,” he said. 

“This was just an initial meeting. Other meetings bringing together MPs and MCAs are being planned. We must bring our people together.” 

Nyaribo said: “We can only be respected as a community if we speak with one voice. We cannot continue having different voices from Gusii. Matiang’i is our spokesman for now.”

Senator Ongeri in parables said the endorsement means a lot for the community and the CS.

“We are now preparing for bigger things in future. The Kisii community is now on the right track,” Ongeri said.

Ong’era said the Gusii must unite as a community or perish.

MCAs Kepher Mogaka and John Ombati told other leaders to back Matiang’i.

“Matiang’i is the sole spokesman of Omogusii. This is a resolve that has made by elders and nobody should go against it. The entire Kisii community should rally behind him,” said Mogaka, the Kisii Central representative. 

Matiang’i joins an exclusive club of leaders who have been installed as elder and spokesman. Former powerful Cabinet Minister Simeon Nyachae was previously Gusii elder and spokesman.