Kisii top leaders hold unity talks

Saturday, 23 April 2011 00:01 BY MOSOKU GEOFFREY

Political leaders from Kisii have begun talks aimed at uniting the Gusii people under one political party. The leaders drawn from various political parties and professions have been meeting to discuss the proposal of rallying behind one political party. The party, according to the drafters of the move, will be used as a vehicle to bargain for political power or negotiating with other political entities.
On Thursday evening, a group of over 100 professionals and politicians met to discuss the elusive unity for the community. The meeting at a restaurant in Upper Hill in Nairobi, resolved to involve both politicians and the academicians in the initiative. Among the proposals that were floated is the strengthening of the existing political parties prevalent in Kisii.
Currently, the People’s Democratic Party and Ford People have strongholds in Kisii land.“With meaningful and structural discussions, then we can decided to identify one party and strengthen it all found a new one,” Nairobi lawyer Dennis Abincha said.
Abincha, who is also ODM-Kenya deputy secretary general said the initiative will gain support among the Kisii since it will also articulate the economic and social issues of the community.
The common political vehicle, according to those behind, the move will seek to bring together all the Kisii people in the two counties and those in the Diaspora.
Those present included six former MPs Jimmy Angweyi, Omingo Magara, Mwancha Okioma, Masanya Okeri, Joseph Kiangoi and Zebedeo Opore.
The former South Mugirango MP whose political star seems to rise after he has been identified as a key pillar in the G7 initiative supported the move.“As a community, it is high time that we united, it’s through unity that we can mobilize not only for political purposes but the social well being of our people,” Magara said.
The G7 brings together Finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Eldoret North MP William Ruto, Najib Balala, Aden Duale, Eugene Wamalwa and Magara.
PDP chairman Steve Nyarangi said; ‘Kisiis have agreed to put aside their differences and come together for a common agenda. We are putting aside our political affiliations and unite Omogusii.” The meeting began in the wake of current political realignments in the country with various communities seeming to be united under one leader.