Omari tells Matiang’i: Come back to Ruto or the Gusii community pays the price
The Mt Kenya Times 
Lawyer Danstan Omari during press briefing in Kisii Town. Photo/Elizabeth Angira
By Elizabeth Angira
Lawyer Danstan Omari has urged former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i to reconsider his political position and align himself with President William Ruto, warning that the Gusii community risks losing its influence in national politics if it remains outside government.
Speaking during a press briefing in Kisii town, Omari argued that the community should prioritise its political interests and seek a place in the national government rather than support political arrangements that could leave it in the opposition.
Omari said recent political developments, including Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka’s appointment as treasurer of the Linda Mwananchi political outfit, should prompt the Gusii community to rethink its political direction.
He noted that Onyonka had openly declared his commitment to advancing the Linda Mwananchi agenda, raising questions about the political future of the community and its relationship with other national political formations.
Omari also questioned claims that Matiang’i would automatically secure the endorsement of the Jubilee Party as its presidential candidate, arguing that his current position within the party was not yet fully confirmed through the required party processes.
He pointed to internal disagreements involving Jubilee Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni and the party’s leadership, saying the ongoing wrangles could complicate Matiang’i’s political ambitions.
According to Omari, the limited time remaining before the 2027 General Election makes it necessary for Gusii leaders to settle on a clear political strategy instead of moving between political camps.
“We are nine months away from the General Election, yet we are still moving from one political party to another. As a community, we must decide where we want to go and what interests we want to protect,” Omari said.
He cautioned local politicians against mobilising the community around individual elective ambitions at the expense of broader national political interests.
Omari questioned whether the community should concentrate on securing parliamentary and county positions while risking exclusion from important national political negotiations.
He argued that Kisii and Nyamira counties should work together to ensure the Gusii community remains part of national decision-making, particularly in matters concerning resource allocation and development.
The lawyer cited the political experience of the late politician Simon Nyachae , arguing that previous political arrangements had not translated into significant electoral gains for the community.
He warned that remaining outside the government could limit the community’s ability to influence national development priorities.
Omari further claimed that President Ruto was seeking to expand his political support across Nyanza, the Coast, North Eastern and other regions, adding that the Gusii community should position itself strategically in the emerging political alliances.
He also suggested that Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka could emerge as Ruto’s running mate in the 2027 presidential election, although he presented this as his political assessment rather than a confirmed arrangement.
Omari appealed to Kalonzo to consider joining the political formation associated with Ruto, arguing that a broader alliance could reshape the country’s political landscape.
He criticised the Linda Mwananchi team over what he described as intolerance towards leaders with divergent political views, citing the reception Kalonzo received from some members of the group.
Turning to Matiang’i, Omari urged the former Cabinet Secretary to reconsider his political strategy and engage with the President’s camp.
“My appeal to Matiang’i is that he should reconsider his position and move back to William Ruto. Let us discuss our fate when we know where we are going,” he said.
Omari maintained that political decisions should be guided by the interests of communities rather than individual ambitions, warning that the Gusii community could lose an opportunity to influence national affairs if its leaders fail to agree on a common political direction.
He predicted that some leaders who have previously supported Matiang’i could shift their allegiance towards Ruto in the coming months, although he did not name those he expected to make the move.
He insisted that his decision to speak from Kisii was deliberate, saying he wanted to address the community directly on what he considers its political future.
“Omogusii’s interest is not to be in the opposition. Our interest is to be part of government and to participate in decisions that affect our people,” Omari said.
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