By Arnold Ageta
Gusii Kenya Kwanza and ODM leaders have once again stormed Nyamira County in their campaign for a broad-based government at the grassroots.
Hosted by the Nyamira County Woman Representative Jerusha Momanyi, the leaders camped at Moitunya village in Kemera Ward where they persuaded residents to support President Ruto’s broad-based government, which was formed to unite the country.
The meeting, which was led by UDA’s National Assembly Chief Whip Silvanus Osoro, is one of a series of such meetings to popularize the broad-based government and root for support for Ruto’s second term.
The series of meetings have been organized to counter the “Matiang’i effect,” which has, in the recent past, caused political waves in the Gusii region. ODM has for a long time enjoyed full support in the region until the entry of Dr. Fred Matiang’i in the presidential race.
During the meeting, the leaders faulted Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo for not serving the people as he promised in the last elections, saying he is “sleeping on the job.”
“Governor Nyaribo has failed in his county leadership and needs to wake up and read the signs on the wall,” Silvanus Osoro said.
Osoro revisited his earlier claims, stating that the governor has refused to sign an agreement between the national government and the county in order to receive assorted hospital equipment.
“It is only Nyamira County that has not collected the equipment that includes CT scans, dialysis machines, and drugs,” said the South Mugirango MP.
He added that it is an “embarrassment that the governor does not care about the health of his people, and yet health facilities at levels 1, 2, and 3 continue to charge patients for the services rendered.”
Mr. Osoro asked the residents to be peaceful and stop political hatred, because politicians are fighting for their personal interests.
“Put aside political emotions and divisive politics because everybody is free to support any political alliance that aligns with their interests,” he announced.
On the issue of Matiang’i, Osoro warned those who are trying to force him to support Matiang’i, saying he will continue to support President Ruto beyond 2027 to continue tapping development for his constituents.
He faulted those who are trying to make him “look bad” in the region because of his support for the current president, who he says is development-oriented.
“Most of you supported Raila. None of you voted for Ruto in the last elections. Where is Raila now? Is he not working with Ruto? Why are you fighting me for supporting Ruto?” he asked.
He, however, told them that they did not vote in vain because Raila agreed to join the broad-based government.
UDA’s Treasurer, Japhet Nyakudi, who is also the Kitutu Chache North Constituency representative, said Ruto is a performer who has overtaken development done by former presidents. He said that since he came into power, President Ruto’s record has grown tremendously.
“The UDA administration has, since 2022, employed 300,000 teachers, and another batch of 100,000 teachers will be hired in January 2026,” he announced.
Jerusha Momanyi joined them in supporting President Ruto’s government, which she says has rewarded Nyamira County with a university that was almost disappearing, a stadium at Sironga, and rural electrification projects which will start soon.
“The university establishment had stalled, but our president revived it and its construction will start this month led by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF),” she announced.
Jerusha, who has announced her gubernatorial bid for 2027, donated a car wash machine to one of the bodaboda groups in Kemera ward and said another group will receive a cheque of 127,000 shillings.
A widow group in the ward will also receive a maize milling machine, which they will use as a source of income.
Momanyi’s gubernatorial bid got a boost after former gubernatorial aspirant Charles Mochama vowed to support her in 2027.
Silvanus Osoro also supported her quest to lead Nyamira County, saying women are good leaders and they will support her in her bid.
“Jerusha Momanyi has proved to be a good leader in her current role as the woman representative, and if given a bigger role, she will transform the county,” he said.
Osoro said that Momanyi has been fighting for Nyamira projects in her current role and with her election in 2027, Nyamira will grow.
Jerusha Momanyi is expected to hand over to nominated MP Irene Mayaka, who has shown interest in becoming a women representative.
Irene Mayaka, who hails from Bogichora Ward, was once nominated to the County Assembly of Nyamira by the ODM party, which again nominated her to her current parliamentary position.
“I am supporting Jerusha Momanyi’s gubernatorial bid so that I also take over as the woman representative of this county,” she announced.
She further said that Nyamira needs a woman governor so that she will help the county grow as the neighboring Homabay County has grown in just 3 years.
“If Homabay County can grow with Gladys Wanga, why not Nyamira?” she wondered.
The meeting was also attended by Kisii Women Representative Dorice Donya, nominated senator Essy Okenyuri, and some MCAs from Kitutu Masaba constituency.
