‘We are not for sale’: Matiang'i returns to Gusii, two days after Ruto's tour

What you need to know:

• Jubilee presidential hopeful has scheduled a series of rallies across Gusii in a bid to counter the President's inroads.
• He is expected to hold a major rally in Kisii town and Keroka on Sunday, accompanied by several opposition leaders.

Two days after President William Ruto left Gusii following his four-day political tour of the region, Jubilee Presidential hopeful Dr Fred Matiang'i returned to the area and declared that the Head of State's visit was a non-starter and will not change the political stand of Abagusii.

Dr Matiang'i said the people of Gusii are tired of false promises from the President, which has made it necessary for them to remain firmly in the opposition.

The former Interior Cabinet Secretary lamented that President Ruto had turned Kenyan politics into an auction where the highest bidders seeking to control the narrative.

"The people of Gusii have come of age and cannot be bribed with handouts to change their political stand," said Dr Matiang'i.

"The heart, soul, and conscience of our people in Gusii are not for sale. The President was here earlier this week, distributing money, as you can confirm from videos circulating on social media. Our people cannot be bought; they are not for sale. It is very shameful how the Head of State interacts with the people," he added.

"We are interested in real development and the well-being of our country, not in trying to buy the hearts and souls of our people. Bribing people around and pushing leaders left, right and centre will not change their stance. They will not be misled by empty promises," Dr Matiang'i said.

He also noted that the alleged reckless manner in which the President behaved and spoke while in Gusii shows his level of desperation.

Dr Matiang'i said President Ruto has little to offer Gusii residents, stating that the people now know that the President never honours his word whenever he promises something.

Dr Matiang'i has scheduled a series of rallies across Gusii in a bid to counter the President's inroads.

On Friday, Dr Matiang'i attended the burial of his uncle, Mzee John Mboga Nyaboga, at Manga in Borabu Constituency, Nyamira County.

"We will not respond to him with abuses like he did while here. Vote hunting should be done respectfully, not through insults and intimidation. This government is full of corruption, and that's the greatest problem facing our country. Kenyans' problem is not the opposition. You can see the level of insecurity here; cattle rustling has gone out of control in this region," Dr Matiang'i said while addressing mourners.

He challenged President Ruto to conduct himself in accordance with the responsibilities of his office.

"He has stooped too low. We cannot lower ourselves to his level. The insults are excessive. It is shameful how the President conducted himself during his tour of Gusii, bringing people in and launching and relaunching non-existent projects," he said.

Dr Matiang'i stated that in the history of Kenya, no leader has degraded the dignity of the presidency like President Ruto.

"As Kenyans, we have expectations of how the President should conduct himself. That is why he is referred to as the father of the nation. But bribing and insulting people is unpresidential," said the former Interior Cabinet Secretary.

Dr Matiang'I also warned political rivals against intimidating or harassing Jubilee supporters to join their parties. 

He noted that some elected leaders in Kisii have resorted to violence after realising their parties were unpopular in the region.

"We want to remind these leaders that goonism and violence will not work in Gusii. Our people are peace-loving and abhor violence. Let that sink in; they will not be intimidated," Dr Matiang'I said.

Dr Matiang'i was accompanied by Nyamira Senator Okong'o Omogeni, Members of Parliament Patrick Osero (Borabu), Clive Gisairo (Kitutu Masaba), among other leaders from Gusii.

Mr Omogeni said President Ruto has failed the Gusii community, noting that farmers in the area have been receiving very low tea bonuses.

"For the four years Ruto has been in power, our farmers have known nothing but misery. While other regions receive high tea bonuses, our farmers are sinking deeper into poverty,” Mr Omogeni said.

Mr Gisairo urged President Ruto to respect the Gusii community.

"That respect must be absolute, and that includes respecting our son Fred Matiang'i. Matiang'i may be humble and may not respond to you, but some of us will not have kind words for you," Mr Osero said.

President Ruto concluded his four-day tour of the area on Wednesday.

During the visit, President Ruto said the Abagusii community stands a better chance in his government than in the opposition.

The President launched several development projects while urging locals to vote for leaders aligned with the broad-based government.

On Sunday, Dr Matiang'i is expected to hold a major rally in Kisii town and Keroka, accompanied by fellow opposition leaders Ndindi Nyoro, Martha Karua, and James Orengo, among others.

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