A new political alliance is taking shape between the Abagusii and Kuria communities ahead of the 2027 elections.
Although both communities are Bantu-speaking, the Kuria reside in Migori County, while the Abagusii primarily inhabit Kisii and Nyamira counties.
On Monday, elected and nominated leaders from Kisii and Nyamira counties held a consultative meeting with some of their counterparts from Kuria.
The meeting brought together Members of Parliament from the Senate and the National Assembly representing the three counties.
Other leaders were Chief Executives, Chairpersons and Members of State Corporations, Vice Chancellors from the region, senior civil servants, industry leaders, and the Council of Elders.
Also present were Kisii Council of Elders Chairperson James Matundura and Kuria East MP Marwa Kitayama.
“The meeting was about the unity of our people and exploring areas of cooperation and engagement as one community,” said Matundura.
However, some speculated that the meeting aimed to unify the two communities in support of President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga.
The meeting came hours after Raila was heckled by a section of football enthusiasts while attending a Shabana kit launch in Gusii stadium on Sunday.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba and National Assembly Majority Whip Sylvanus Osoro were among the leaders who attended the early morning meeting.
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, a vocal critic of President Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration, was also present, as Abagusii politicians work to unite the region.
Other attendees included Solicitor General Shadrack Mose and several MPs from both counties, including Steve Mogaka (West Mugirango), Zaheer Jhanda (Nyaribari Chache), Patrick Osero (Borabu), and Gloria Orwoba (Nominated).
Kenya’s Ambassador to Uganda, Joash Maangi, also participated in the discussions, which come amid an intensified push to consolidate community unity ahead of the 2027 elections.
This marks the second such meeting by Gusii leaders
within a year, as they strategize on uniting the community in response to the
rapidly evolving political landscape ahead of 2027.
A dispatch after the meeting said the discussions focused on the theme "Strengthening Regional Synergy for Development," emphasizing a shared commitment to driving sustainable progress and fostering unity between the Abagusii and Abakuria communities.
