By KPC Reporter
After a humiliating defeat in the three ward by-elections recently concluded in Nyamira County, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) team in Gusii has gone back to the drawing board to strategize on how to regain its lost political footing.
Among their new approaches, the team—coalescing around South Mugirango legislator and National Assembly Majority Whip Silvanus Osoro—has resolved to conduct grassroots rallies, including one-on-one engagements with the people.
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The group has held rallies in Kitutu Chache North, South Mugirango, Nyaribari Chache, and Bomachoge Borabu constituencies, where they have urged locals to embrace President William Ruto’s two-term agenda.
The team is also preparing the ground for President Ruto, who is expected to visit the region early next month in what the UDA group describes as a development tour.
Others in the team include Kisii Woman Representative Dorice Aburi, UDA National Treasurer Japheth Nyakundi, and MPs Alpha Miruka (Bomachoge Chache) and Zaheer Jhanda (Nyaribari Chache).
Under the banner Uongozi Mashinani, the group—still reeling from losses in the Nyansiongo, Nyamaiya, and Ekerenyo ward by-elections—aims to depopularize Jubilee Party presidential candidate Dr Fred Matiang’i, who enjoys massive support in the Gusii region.
In the ward by-elections conducted about two weeks ago, candidates allied to Dr Matiang’i trounced those affiliated with President Ruto’s UDA by a large margin.
Mr Osoro, who was the chief campaigner in the by-elections, said, “He who is looking for something must continue until he gets it.”
“Ruto is looking for a second term, and the market is now open for everyone to bring what they want to sell,” Mr Osoro said in Kitutu Chache North.
The group, which appears well funded, has continued to urge locals to line up and receive goserwa (cash) before or after rallies, a strategy that appears to attract crowds to their events.
“Some complain that Zaheer is meeting people and giving them money. Let everyone mind their own business. If I bring sodas here, everyone will pick the bottle of their choice. Some will choose water, milk, or something bitter,” Mr Osoro said.
He added, “Each person has their own preference. You can’t pick a friend or enemy for me. Zaheer is my friend, so you can’t force him to hate me. If he likes Ruto, you can’t stop him. Ruto is the head of the country, whether you love him or not.”
In what appeared to be a clear demonstration of how the ruling party plans to use money to woo voters ahead of the 2027 polls, Mr Osoro urged voters to support the government so they can benefit from it.
“I am close to Ruto. Zaheer is close to Ruto too. Ruto has the purse of Kenya and manages the country’s finances. This is something I keep telling you. Other communities, like the Kikuyu and Luo, always come together to support the government because elections are still far off,” he said.
He noted that even former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was impeached, yet he has not advised ministers from his region to distance themselves from the government.
“The head of police, Kanja, comes from Gachagua’s home, but he has not been told to leave. The presidential election is decided in the last three months; the rest of the time is for development,” he said.
Mr Osoro revealed that President Ruto will soon visit Gusii to open roads in constituencies led by Mr Jhanda, Mr Miruka, Mr Nyakundi, and himself, adding that the roads will not bear the President’s name.
“Ruto will only be in office for a maximum of seven years, so there’s no need to hate him. In the meantime, you can’t run away from him, even if you dislike him. You can only pretend to be with him until the last minute,” he said.
While suggesting that Gusii lacks political muscle, the second-term lawmaker said, “Abagusii keep nagging, yet we are just a handful. We are only three. Gusii had 600,000 votes, of which Ruto received 250,000. Ruto got 7.2 million votes; subtract the 600,000 and take advantage of what you have at hand.”
Mr Jhanda said President Ruto has allocated Sh700 million for water projects across Nyaribari.
“He will come to launch these projects in January while also opening the roads. The same applies to electricity, and contractors are already on site. We now have Bosongo and Ibeno divisions, as well as several locations including Bobaracho, Borogi, Nyamecheo, Irondi, and Nyamagwa,” Mr Jhanda said.
