Elders from Gusii community are set to reconcile Interior Cabinet Secretary, Dr Fred Matiang’I and Kisii County government Governor James Ongwae over differences which played out during campaigns for Bonchari constituency mini-poll held on Tuesday.
Consequently, Abagusii Culture and Development Council (ACDC) Chairman, James Matundura has appealed to the duo to forget their differences, forgive each other and work together to foster development in the community.
He lauded the election of Orange Democratic Movement ( ODM) candidate, Pavel Oimeke and the conduct of residents during the poll, adding council members from Bonchari had confirmed it was peaceful.
“ The council of elders congratulates Oimeke for the victory and urges him to unite and work together with losers to foster development in the area” Matundura said at the council Culture office after a meeting with officials of the council from sub counties across Gusii region.
Vice chairman John Mogere, Secretary General Samwel Bosire and supreme council member Florence Manduku also appealed to losers to forget their political differences and support the Member of Parliament.
Oimeke garnered 8,049 votes to win against his closest rivals- Zebedeo Opore, Jubilee party, 7,279 and United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate, Teresa Bitutu Oroo, 6,964. Area Independent electoral and boundaries Commission ( IEBC) Returning Officer, Benson Ambuko announced the results on Wednesday at Suneka National Government Constituency development Fund ( NG-CDF) Tallying hall.
The duo, the chairman need each other and the elders need them as senior most civil servants from the community, stressing they would not like them to differ since it will affect the community’s cohesion and reduce it to a laughing stock nationally.
“ Ongwae and Matiang’I are our children. Their differences have no basis and will ashame us. I urge them not to listen to gossipers who will create a wedge between them and worsen the situation” Matundura said.
Bosire said the duo were doing different jobs and urged them to do their work to benefit the Gusii community, stressing the community’s members respect and prays for them to serve Kenyans in their different roles locally and nationally.
The SG noted the duo is playing a key role in uniting the community and, if their differences are not addressed, they will affect the community’s unity.
“Ongwae and the cabinet Secretary need to respect each other. Gusii people pray for peace, unity and development” Bosire said.
Manduku, the widow to former Nyaribari Masaba Mp, Dr Hezron Manduku said that people can differ; stressing what was important is forgiveness and forging on.
ODM leaders condemned the government after security officers raided Ongwae’s residence prior to poll as he hosted Lawmakers- Janet Ong’era (Kisii County), Dr Pamella Odhiambo (Migori county) and Senator, Prof. Sam Ongeri (Kisii county) for dinner and ejected them from the residence under claims they were holding an illegal meeting.
