Lately, Interior Security Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang'i has been making inroads in Nyanza and Western region in a bid to bring development closer to the people and intensify the Building Bridges Initiative report that was launched in his own Kisii backyard by President Uhuru Kenyatta and Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
On 22nd October 2020, Dr. Matiang'i accompanied President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to Kisumu County to engage the Nyanza residents. Matiang'i gave a historic speech in Kisumu that was given a standing ovation and watched by Kenyans globally; something that thrilled Kenyans to keep guessing what next for Uhuru Kenyatta's Mr. Fix It.
Political analysts say that was a charm offensive of introducing Dr. Fred Matiang'i to the people of Nyanza so as to pose as a likely candidate to represent the region as RAO prepares to exit the scene in few years to come. However technocrats argue that Matiang'i will be rated as presidential material due to his national clout of development and reform agenda he has made in every institution and ministry he has served in.
On his tour of Kisii, President Uhuru Kenyatta gave a clear message to local wananchi that he is pleased with the work that his Interior Security Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang'i is doing. The President went further to castigate the Tangatanga allied politicians who were throwing jibes at Matiang'i. He urged the people of Gusii to protect their son against abuses as he is the country's shining star. Analysts say the President was preparing their son for higher duties though political pundits argue that the presence of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in Gusii spoke volumes as they launched the BBI report in Kisii; the same venue where the first step started; a sign that Kisii is the biblical holy land whose leadership was blessed for the future.
Yesterday, Dr. Fred Matiang'i jointly met Governors of Western & Nyanza region with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga led by Kakamega Governor Wickliffe Oparanya, who also doubles as the Council of Governors Chairman and his Lake Region Economic Block Vice Chairman, Kisii Governor James Ongwae. In the presence of CS Eugene Wamalwa, Western and Nyanza Governors deliberated on the BBI document that will move Kenya to a super peaceful and developing country. They agreed that it's time to amend the supreme law through this opportunity of a rare window to rally the country together to face some of the daunting challenges.
Dr. Fred Matiang'i's presence at Ciala Resort yesterday and his crucial role in BBI further confirmed the people's guess on his much anticipated solidification of his region's support as he prepares to further get into the nation's bigger boots. With sources close to the Presidency saying that he will be in charge of spearheading the BBI process and make it a success and has successfuly completed his first assignment of engaging Western region Governors in cooperation with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Back at home, already word is going round that the region is going back to the 2002 moment when we endorsed Simeon Nyachae for the Presidential seat. Gusii leaders led by two Governors (James Ongwae & John Nyagarama) have said repeatedly that this time round, we must get to the presidential ballot, thanks to the harmonious working relationship of all Gusii leaders i.e. Janet Ong'era, Jerusha Momanyi, Prof. Sam Ongeri, Okong'o Omogeni and area MPs led by Richard Onyonka & Ben Momanyi.
As Franklin D. Roosevelt said, nothing happens by accident in politics but if it happens, its properly planned and so is Dr. Fred Matiang'i's strategic position in both Nyanza and national politics as an eye opener to his preparedness for a bigger role in 2022 and beyond. Keep watching this space!
