Choose Sides: Kisii leaders urged to declare stand on Matiang’i presidential bid
A senatorial aspirant in Kisii County has challenged leaders from the Gusii region to publicly declare their political allegiance, accusing some of sending conflicting messages by professing support for former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Okeng’o Matiang’i’s anticipated 2027 presidential bid while appearing at rallies organised by the Linda Mwananchi movement.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Dr. Denis Masenge said politicians should stop confusing voters by claiming to back Dr. Matiang’i’s presidential ambitions while using public platforms to promote a different political agenda.
“The people of Kisii deserve honesty, consistency and principled leadership,” Dr. Masenge said.
“It is politically contradictory to claim to champion Dr. Matiang’i’s presidential bid while using the same platforms to advance another presidential candidate.”
Dr. Masenge, a political scientist and public policy scholar at Kisii University, is seeking to unseat Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka in the 2027 General Election.
He argued that leaders who genuinely support Dr. Matiang’i should openly rally behind the Jubilee Party and its presidential agenda, while those aligned with the Linda Mwananchi movement should clearly identify with that political path.
“Kisii voters are politically aware and deserve transparent leadership—not mixed signals or divided loyalties. This is the time for every leader to declare where they truly stand,” he said.
According to Dr. Masenge, the Gusii region should avoid political ambiguity as the country moves closer to the 2027 General Election, insisting that leaders cannot effectively serve competing political interests.
His remarks come amid increasing political realignments across the country as parties and alliances position themselves ahead of the next polls.
The Gusii region has become a focal point of national politics following growing calls for Dr. Matiang’i to enter the 2027 presidential race. At the same time, the Linda Mwananchi movement has held rallies across the country, drawing several opposition leaders, including some who have also publicly expressed support for Dr. Matiang’i.
The overlapping political engagements have fuelled debate over the political loyalties of some Gusii leaders, with Dr. Masenge urging them to state their positions clearly.
However, Senator Richard Onyonka has defended participation in the Linda Mwananchi movement, arguing that it forms part of a broader opposition strategy to unseat President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election.