Charles Nyachae’s meeting with his long time friend Dr. Daniel Manduku comes as a surprise to many in the long wake of political realignment in Kisii politics.
Charles Nyachae’s actions must have been initiated by his dad the strong political iroko Simeon Nyachae to formally endorse Dr. Daniel Mandukufor Governor. The great Nyaribari clan has never united its 13 clans since the era of James Nyamweya, Former Cabinet Minister Under Mzee Kenyatta. Every time Nyaribari wants to unite, forces from outside sponsored by some leaders divide it further.
Former Cabinet Minister Nyachae united the clan some time back till his end times in politics when former Cabinet Minister Hezron Manduku ended his political career in 2007.
We have seen leaders from outside Nyaribari come into Nyaribari meetings be it funerals, churches or even development forums and divide Abanyaribari further into pieces. They make Abanyaribari hate their own leaders and even rule out the great Omonyaribari from the seat of Governor Kisii County come 2022.
At First, the respected Senator Professor Ongeri was seen as a front runner in the coveted Gubernatorial seat to take over after the current Governor James Ongwae but midway, Ezekiel Machogu declared his bid terming Mzee Ongeri as too old for the seat and must call it a day after over a half a century in politics.
Ezekiel Machogu was full of energy, using his financial muscle to ensure he dumps Ongeri in the political dustbins. All along, the professor just smiled at Machogu’s theatrics due to his experience. He kept quiet at both abuses and political assaults from Machogu’s team all along as the referee waved on. Prof. Ongeri, on the other hand vouched on his development track record as he asked his nemesis Machogu to hold his horses. Ongeri enjoyed the support of Gusii council of elders initially but Machogu went and met the Gusii council of elders promising goodies and using intimidative tendencies.
It is said that Machogu wanted to wrestle the support of Gusii elders from Ongeri. The Council of elders however told Machogu that Ongeri is one of the leaders and they must accord him some respect. The elders told Machogu that Ongeri, Machogu and Manduku are all Nyaribari sons who must be treated equally.
Further, Nyaribari people relooked their future and had to chart a way forward. The recent development in Nyaribari house is that they met again and charted the way forward. The entrance of former KPA Managing director Dr. Daniel Manduku to the gubernatorial race comes in two different ways.
One, he stands as a strong personality whose public limelight send a strong signal due to his empowerment agenda accross Gusii. On matters empowerment, Manduku has been equalised to the late Dr. Nyangito because of him employing very many people from Gusii region during his tenure in various tenures both in government practice and private practice.
A case study is his tenure as CEO of National Construction Authority. Unfortunately, he resigned as Kenya Ports Authority boss due to numerous fights and witchunts. Secondly, with the entrance of Dr. Manduku, its evident that Machogu’s narrative that Ongeri is too old wont sell to people neither will the narrative that Machogu is very rich sell because Manduku is equally committed to the course.
His entrant into Gusii murky political waters saw him give a tone of half a million to three fundraisings, it shoke the region’s residents. On the other hand, Manduku has is on record of employing many Gusii people just like Sam Ongeri’s tenure as a minister.
This leaves the Nyaribari people with a narrow choice as Nyaribari icon and public figure Simeon Nyachae has endorsed Dr. Manduku. This meeting between Dr. Manduku and Charles Nyachae comes in surprise to many aspirants.
And this asks the question whether Dr. Daniel Manduku will be the solution Nyaribari’s quest for unity & whether he is the choice the Nyaribari has been waiting for to unite them, cool down political temperatures, reunite both Ongeri and Machogu and be the next Governor of Kisii County?
