Nyaribari Masaba parliamentary aspirant Omoi Makori has criticised Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka over his decision to abandon former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, describing the move as shameful.
Makori questioned Onyonka’s political conduct, saying leaders should demonstrate consistency and commitment instead of shifting political allegiance as the country approaches the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during a burial ceremony at Masabo in Gesusu on Friday, Makori urged the Abagusii community to rally behind Matiang’i and support his presidential ambitions.
He said the community should unite behind one of its own and seize the opportunity to have a leader from the region compete for the country’s top political seat.
"We cannot afford to betray our very own at such a critical moment that is why we must all reject such people," Makori said.
At the same function, Meshack Obonyo, an aspirant for the Masimba Ward MCA seat, described those abandoning Matiang’i as “sell-outs”.
Obonyo questioned the loyalty of leaders who had previously supported the former CS but were now moving to alternative political formations.
The two aspirants' remarks came a day after Onyonka publicly confirmed that he had joined the Linda Mwananchi political outfit associated with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
Onyonka disclosed that he had been considered for the position of national treasurer in the emerging political movement.
“Yes, I have decided to join them, partly because I am also among the founders and, secondly, I will help as a treasurer,” he said.
He also defended his association with Sifuna, asking: “How else can we know what is happening if we can't embrace Sifuna?”
Onyonka's decision marks a significant political shift in Kisii, given his previous role in championing Matiang’i's presidential ambitions.
In January 2025, the senator publicly declared his support for Matiang’i's 2027 presidential bid and called on the Abagusii community to rally behind the former Cabinet secretary.
Matiang’i, who served as Interior Cabinet Secretary under former President Uhuru Kenyatta, has since been positioning himself for the 2027 presidential contest, seeking to build a national support base.
Onyonka's departure has now exposed emerging differences among Gusii leaders over political alliances and the direction the community should take ahead of the next General Election.
Speaking about development, Omoi Makori railed current MP Daniel Manduku accusing him of lethargy.
He especially raised questions about his committment to ensure roads in the constituency were tarmacked.
" You can't move around with one truck and one tractors and say you're tamarking roads," he said.
