Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang'i's bid to unite Abagusii community kicked off this weekend in a secret meeting held at Borabu MP Ben Momanyi's home.
Although Dr Matiang'i was conspicuously absent from the meeting, the leaders drawn from different wards across Nyamira endorsed him as de facto leader of Abagusii.
By Saturday 3pm, at least 25 MCAs from Nyamira, Women Representative Jerusha Momanyi, Senator Okong'o Mogeni, Speaker Moffat Teya and former Kitutu Masaba MP Mwancha Okioma had gathered at Mr Momanyi's Mekekene residence.
After lunch, the leaders unanimously picked Dr Matiang'i as their leader with Mr Ben Momanyi, a second term MP chosen to be the team's gubernatorial candidate in the race to succeed Governor John Nyagarama.
Mr Mogeni will lead unity campaigns across Gusii and is set to defend his Senatorial seat. Mrs Jerusha Momanyi will defend Woman Representative seat under the faction.
"We specifically discussed how we can popularise Matiang'i as our de facto leader for a top seat. Locally, we have endorsed some leaders for certain seats," an MCA said in confidence.
On Sunday at Riamoni, Mr Momanyi preempted the discussions for previous day, insisting that Matiang'i has come of age to go for the country's top seat.
"Bwana minister we have numbers. We shall talk to other communities and we can get that top seat. Do not fear going for it. We shall support you no matter what," he said.
Only North Mugirango MP Joash Nyamoko, West Mugirango's Vincent Kemosi and Kitutu Masaba MP Shadrack Mose are not in the line up. The three supports DP William Ruto.
But the unity move by Matiang'i, who is banking on Handshake, could he scuttled by ODM treasurer Timothy Bosire, a key proponent of handshake and a pointsman of Mr Odinga.
He was not included in the secret talks by Pro-Matiang'i team. Mr Bosire is also keen to succeed Governor John Nyagarama who retires in 2022.
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