What really is Nyachae up to?

By ROBERT NYASATO

The return of former Cabinet minister Simeon Nyachae has left many guessing, with others accusing him of engaging in political bargain for certain presidential aspirant, even after saying he had retired from politics.

Until recently, Nyachae, who resigned from active politics in 2007 following a humiliating defeat in Nyaribari-Chache, had taken the back seat.

Only his son Charles Nyachae, the chairman of the Committee of Implementation of the Constitution, has been in the limelight.

But lately, the elderly Nyachae has appeared to be competing for public attention. Over the last three months, he has hosted political bigwigs seeking to make inroads in Kisii, including Prime Minister RailaOdinga, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, and Eldoret North MP William Ruto.

But his latest delicate initiative of presiding over a forum of MPs from the region has attracted interest and criticism in equal measure.

Common path

Through the forum, largely boycotted by MPs allied to Raila’s ODM party, Nyachae has been seeking to lead the MPs as well as local former legislators into charting a common political direction for the community in next elections.

Recently, Gusii professionals in Nairobi coined a consultative forum, ostensibly to unite the Abagusii. Already, two meetings have been held in Nairobi with Nyachae attending.

Some MPs have dismissed the forum, saying it was being used by Nyachae to help him return to politics through the back door. But at one of the meetings last month, Nyachae reiterated he was not interested in returning to politics.

Education minister Sam Ongeri, Nyaribari-Chache MP Robert Monda, Wilfred Ombui (North Mugirango) and Kitutu-Masaba’s Walter Nyambati. (Nyambati’s election was revoked by court last Friday following a petition).

Sentiments at the consultative forum gravitated around the notion that Kisii leaders, who snubbed the meeting, were undermining the interests of the community. Nyachae’s presence as the chief guest confirmed his clout.

Talk of Nyachae’s return came to the fore months ago when a section of the media reported he was in talks with Raila, to help the PM secure the Abagusii support in the 2012 General Election.

Nyachae characteristically placed a paid-up Press disclaimer, saying the report was in bad faith as it projected him as participating in active politics when he had retired.

When Kalonzo visited Nyamira and Kisii counties, he never fell short of telling residents that he sought permission from Nyachae before going there.

Addressing a meeting at St Vincent Catholic Centre, Kalonzo invoked Nyachae’s name saying he respected him as a leader.

"Before embarking on my journey here, I met Nyachae and we had tea. I told him I was coming to Kisii and he sent me to greet you people," he said.

The VP seemed keen on telling Kisii residents that he had the blessings of Nyachae in his presidential bid.

Two weeks earlier, Ruto attended a funeral where Nyachae and other political leaders were in attendance.

The Standard On Sunday also learnt that during her recent visit to the area, Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua visited Nyachae’s home. Presidential hopefuls believe the former Cabinet minister still wields influence among the Omogusii.

An organiser of the Gusii unity forum Innocent Momanyi says Nyachae would still play a crucial role in shaping the political destiny of his people.

"We are interested in putting our house in order before we seek alliances with other communities. Nyachae has accepted to help achieve this," says Momanyi. To many, Nyachae has desire to reinvent himself as the community political torchbearer.