(Kennedy Mong'are Okongo was the first Nyamira Senator and the National Liberal Party leader)
As a student of political history, African heritage and contemporary studies, the debate on Gusii unity by elected leaders in Gusiiland is at best a façade.
The tragedy of Omogusii is that a few individuals under the age of 55 years can hardly mention the lineage of their ancestry.
There is this self-imposed "council of elders", composed of retirees who found an imaginary "empty throne" and sat on it. These are the good students of Napoleon Bonaparte.
Gusii unity was our first agenda in the 11th Parliament as elected Gusii leaders but we only met once.
Kisii County Government went its way, so did Nyamira County Government. What followed since is the ugly head of corruption and nepotism.
Self-interest has now overruled the needs for community service. It traces back to the pre-colonial and post-colonial era where a clique of selfish people took the Omogusii for a ride.
None of all the current elected leaders spoke at the campaign trail of "Gusii unity", as a manifesto.
Why then delude yourself on aspects you have no iota of knowledge about? This is akin to chasing the wind!
From the late 1960s, politics, political brokers and conmanship took the centre stage in Gusii politics.
A few self-centred political elites amassed a lot of wealth at the expense of the community.
For instance, before the colonial settlers left, they summoned the political elite and bestowed upon them the responsibility of holding in trust for the Omogusii the large tracts of land, coffee estates and herds of cattle they had stolen from the community.
But what happened to Simbuati? These selfish leaders shared it among themselves, family and the rest was sold to friends. Today, it is a “private” area with few power brokers scrambling for the remains.
Since Hon Anyona Moseti died and Hon Mzee Nyachae retired from active politics, Gusiiland has become "a political brothel", for every Tom, Dick and Harry to come and market their merchandise, cultural heritage notwithstanding.
What is required in my view to achieve the Gusii unity is a long-term Omogusii cultural renaissance which will be a multi-faceted approach by all actors in the community.
Let’s all remember that mwacha mila ni mtumwa. This Swahili saying fits perfectly well for mwanyagetinge.
#hivisasaoriginal