As the 2022 General Election nears, minority communities in Isiolo are keen to forge a united front to enhance their bargaining power and clinch several elective seats.
The plan is to first unite the respective communities before an agreement between the tribes is officiated to ensure they all speak in one voice and easily push their agenda on better livelihoods, employment and involvement in the decision making process by incoming leaders.
While many perceive their decision to seek MCA seats in Wabera, Bulapesa and Burat wards as a small dream, the communities see it as an opportunity to have a representation in the county assembly to fight for their interests and for enhanced lobbying.
Besides bringing together all their members under one umbrella, more focus is on ensuring as many people as possible are registered as voters to build their numbers, which will be used to decide on the community to offer leadership on behalf of the rest.
The Nation has learnt that the Agikuyu community under the leadership of Mr Peter Ngechu will probably guide the other minority tribes, owing to their about 2,500 votes which is way above that of the others.
But it is the Agikuyus’ solidarity and organisation that other tribes seem to have been thrilled by, with a number of them already replicating its style of empowering their people across several departments that have respective heads.
Under the Mfinyanzi Community Based Organisation, the tribe has managed to bring together youth, men and women who are actively involved in various activities geared towards socio-economic and political empowerment of its members.
During a meeting last Sunday in Isiolo town attended by close to 2,500 members, the idea to unite the minority communities was mooted.
Luo Community chairperson Pascal Opudo said the communities must walk the unity talk and remain united for better bargaining power.
“We have some direction we want to take in 2022. We will bring all the minority communities together and decide the political direction we will take. We will plan together with your leader Mr Ngechu,” Mr Opudo said at the event.
His sentiments were echoed by Kisii and Luhya community leaders Reuben Ndege and Philip Mwaswache respectively, who also stressed on the need for the tribes to stay put and walk in the same direction.
Njuri Ncheke Council of Elders Isiolo Chairperson Geoffrey Nabea exuded confidence in the leadership of the Agikuyu community in the region,m saying the Ameru would not mind following them because “they trust them to lead the way”.
“Their leadership is just like that of Ameru. The unity between them and us has always been there and we will continue working together,” Mr Nabea, who also doubles as Isiolo’s Ameru community elders chairperson, said.
Mfinyanzi CBO Vice-Chairperson Dan Dackson Karanja said the Agikuyu community had resolved to seek the MCA seat and will support other tribes for other elective seats.
“We have left the other seats to other communities and they should leave the MCA seat for us. The choice on who will represent our community will be made by the people in a transparent process,” Mr Karanja said.
Failure to remain united, he said, will lock them out of government and have them side-lined.
“We will not go looking for any politician. We are busy planning our issues and no serious aspirant can assume our numbers,” he noted.
Mr Ngechu called for political tolerance and the need for all Isiolo residents to stay united and elect leaders who are development oriented and concerned about the peace of the county.
“Let us always remember that campaigns and elections will come and go but we will forever remain brothers and sisters. We should all be tolerant regardless of the leaders we support,” Mr Ngechu said.
He appealed to young people to avoid being misused to cause violence but instead be agents of peace within their villages and across the county, saying peace is a crucial ingredient to development.
Mr Ngechu said the community will only vote for leaders who will champion peace for all regardless of their tribe or religion.
