By Arnold Ageta
Pressure continues to mount on former Chief Justice David Maraga from residents of Nyamira to shelve his presidential bid in favor of Fred Matiang’i.
Maraga, who hails from Bonyamatuta ward in Nyamira County, faces resistance from his own community, who allege that he is President Ruto’s project aimed at diminishing the rising popularity of Fred Matiang’i, who has recently gained widespread support across Kenya.
Residents of Bonyamatuta have urged the two leaders, Fred Matiang’i and David Maraga, to engage in dialogue and agree on a single candidate to represent the Kisii people in the 2027 presidential elections.
Speaking in Bonyamatuta Ward this afternoon, a group of residents led by Richard Maoga Keoro called on the two leaders to communicate and reach an agreement, as their dual candidacies have created a dilemma for the community regarding whom to support.
“This is a national position that requires only one candidate from our community to vie for the presidency, and we risk losing it if both Maraga and Matiang’i contest in 2027,” he stated.
He further emphasized that the nation is closely observing how the Kisii community manages this issue, warning that a split candidacy would result in a lost opportunity for the community.
“This is a chance for the Abagusii people to lead the nation, and if we fail to utilize it effectively, we may never get another opportunity,” he cautioned.
Mr. Keoro advised the two leaders to be sincere with each other and prioritize the interests of the Abagusii people, urging them not to disappoint their community.
“The Abagusii people were once given a similar opportunity to have a vice president by the late President Moi, but they lost it due to greed,” he recalled. “As church elders of the same denomination, where they are taught to love one another, they should compromise and present us with a unified presidential candidate.”
Both Maraga and Matiang’i are Christians and church elders in the Seventh Day Adventist Church, and their actions will be closely scrutinized to see how their faith influences their decisions.
Maraga, who is widely perceived as President Ruto’s project, has struggled to refute these claims, particularly given his presidential aspirations emerged after Matiang’i had already declared his interest.
Many believe that Maraga is being used to undermine his fellow community member, a move that could jeopardize the Abagusii’s chances of securing the presidency.
Another resident, Robert Nyang’au, asserts that Generation Z has not endorsed Maraga, contradicting his claims of such support.
“Maraga belongs to the church and should focus on saving souls rather than tarnishing his reputation with divisive politics,” Nyang’au said.
He further implored Maraga not to be an instrument used to undermine his own community member in the pursuit of the presidency.
Speaking on Sunday in Kisii after a church service, Maraga stated his readiness to offer himself for the highest office, where he believes he can initiate change.
However, the former Chief Justice clarified that the final decision rests with the electorate, dismissing allegations that he is anyone’s project.
“Ultimately, the people will decide. Just relax, wait, and in due course, you will determine for yourselves whether or not I am a state project,” he said.
His declaration has also been met with opposition from prominent Kisii leaders, including Senator Richard Onyonka, who believes that the region’s preferred presidential candidate to challenge President William Ruto is former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i.
“We have decided that as a community, we are going to establish our own political party,” Onyonka stated earlier. “We are going to produce our own candidate who will negotiate with the President and all other political aspirants in this country, and that candidate is none other than Fred Matiang’i.”
Maraga, however, maintains that he is still reflecting on his decision and will soon announce whether or not he will run for the presidency.
“I am discussing it with various stakeholders. I will make a final decision, and when the time comes, we will see whether or not we will proceed,” he said.
It will be interesting to observe whether he succeeds where his mentor, former Cabinet Minister Simeon Nyachae, failed in 2002.
