President William Ruto and Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) could be the biggest casualties if the one million Gusii vote bloc votes as one in 2027, and back former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i as their presidential candidate.
Up for grabs from the region is at least 960,000 registered voters as at last General elections.
The broad-based government of President Ruto and Mr Odinga is facing an acid test in Gusii following the announcement of Dr Matiang’i that he will go for the top job in 2027, after a triumphant homecoming that saw him well received by politicians from the community across the board.
The foot soldiers of Mr Odinga and Dr Ruto from the region are now promoting the presidential ambition of one of Dr Matiang’i, a move that is likely to dent a blow to Mr Odinga who has been harvesting votes from the region which is under South Nyanza.
According to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Kisii County had 637,010 registered voters in 2022 while Nyamira County had 323,283.
Mr Odinga garnered 264,988 votes in Kisii County, translating to 65.15 per cent, whereas President Ruto got 135,140 votes, equivalent to 33.22 per cent. In Nyamira County, Mr Odinga got 104,477 (61.20 per cent) votes while President Ruto received 63,645 (37.28 per cent).
Matiang'i supporters flock to Kisii Town for his homecoming
Should Dr Matiang’i get the backing of the Gusii community, the tide is set to turn against ODM and Kenya Kwanza.
Dr Matiang’i promised to talk to Kenyans from all walks of life to address the many challenges that, he said, are bedevilling the country.
“I urge our people not to lose hope. When the time comes, we will cross that bridge and fix those issues,” said Dr Matiang’i.
The leaders called on their sons and daughters in the diaspora, both locally and abroad, to join the course.
A significant number of voters of the Gusii descent who reside in Trans Nzoia and Nakuru counties, and outside the country in places like Minnesota (USA) have been targeted.
He was warmly welcomed by local politicians, who have for the longest time, pledged their loyalty to Dr Matiang’i’s would be competitor, President Ruto and Mr Odinga.
The most conspicuous one was the Kisii Governor Simba Arati, who rode together with former CS and waving to the crowd from the sunroof of a vehicle.
Thousands of residents wildly cheered them up, sporadically breaking into song and dance in celebration of the return of their son.
Prior to the street action in Kisii Town, Dr Matiang’i, flanked by other elected leaders from the region, paid a courtesy call on Governor Arati in his office.
In his address, Governor Arati endorsed Dr Matiang’i’s presidential ambition, urging him to, henceforth, go full throttle and request Kenyans from other communities to support his bid.
Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i and Kisii Governor Simba Arati speaks to residents of Kisii Town on May 2, 2025.
Photo credit: Ruth Mbula | Nation Media Group
“We have been despised when it comes to government appointments. I had to make noise for us to be given a single Principal Secretary position,” said Governor Arati.
Governor Arati is a high ranking member of the ODM party, currently serving as one of its three Deputy Party leaders.
Senators Richard Onyonka (Kisii) and Okong’o Omogeni (Nyamira), both of the ODM party, were involved in the planning of the homecoming and tour, from the first venue in Kijauri through to Chebilat via Keroka, Keumbu, Kisii Town, Kemera, Nyamira Town, Ekerenyo and Ikonge.
ODM legislators who planned and joined the homecoming ceremony were Mr Anthony Kibagendi (Kitutu Chache South), Mr Clive Gisairo (Kitutu Masaba), Mr Obadiah Barongo (Bomachoge Borabu) and Mr Patrick Osero (Borabu).
Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i acknowledges greetings from members of the public in Borabu Constituency, Nyamira County on May 02, 2025.
Photo credit: Ruth Mbula | Nation Media Group
“We love you so much Dr Matiang’i. We now want you to head out and talk to other Kenyans in a bid to send President Ruto home in 2027,” said Mr Kibagendi, who took a leading role in the planning of the event.
“We are here today to pass a message that the leader of the Abagusii is Dr Matiang’i,” Mr Gisairo said.
Joash Nyamoko (North Mugirango), a key ally of President Ruto, and the only elected MP from Nyamira County, was also involved in Matiang’i's tour.
“As the Abagusii we have united to walk together like the days of Mzee (Simeon) Nyachae who brought us a lot of benefits as a people,” he said in Kisii Town.
He said the Abagusii have a significant amount of votes, enough to propel Dr Matiang’i's presidential bid.
Former West Mugirango MP Vincent Kemosi, who recently hit headlines for rejecting President Ruto’s ambassadorial job offer, also joined the tour.
“We are here with our son. Our journey has started. We want to make sure that in 2027 the president will be him (Dr Matiangi)," he said.
Governor Nyaribo is the party leader of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) which is currently being touted as “the house of the Omogusii.”
UPA is one of the coalition parties within Azimio la Umoja, and backed Mr Odinga's presidential bid in 2022.
Bonchari MP Charles Onchoke, elected on the UPA party ticket, said the Abagusii must come together to get their fair share of the national cake.
Dr Matiang’i’s tour also received a huge support from rising youthful politicians like Nyambega Gisesa and Jones Omwenga, who both coordinated Azimio activities in the region in 2022.
