Preamble
We the people of Nyanza region with 2 million registered voters cannot afford to be disjointed and disorganized as we approach the next general elections. Leaders in the region have a responsibility to unite and chart a political path that benefits all residents.
We reaffirm our support for the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) as put forward by President Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta and the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga and as proposed by the Taskforce on BBI. Indeed, the very first leaders’ consultative forum to endorse the BBI was hosted in Kisii County.
We espouse the values of democracy and freedom, respect for the rule of law and commit to foster peace and national cohesion. As leaders, we bear a huge responsibility of uniting in our quest to shape the region’s political and hence socio-economic destiny.
We recognize that the choice of the Nyanza Region to host the last two National celebrations (11th Mashujaa Day celebrations in Kisii County and the 57th Madaraka Day in Kisumu County) was a great honour to the people of Nyanza.
Acknowledging the continued support accorded to the community by the National Government and;
Appreciating the various interventions by the National Government to address challenges facing the Nyanza Region;
We the people of Nyanza Region have met on this 19th Day of August 2021 to deliberate on issues related to the forthcoming General Elections slated for August 2022. Guided by our shared values and principles, we commit to work closely to achieve the socio-political aspirations of our people, and hereby make the following declarations: –
i. That we have resolved to unite as a community and affirm our support for the AZIMIO LA UMOJA recently unveiled and being championed by Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga to bring the country together.
ii. We have resolved to unite as a community and affirm our support for the Rt. Hon Raila Odinga as the next President of the Republic of Kenya.
iii. That Kenya is made up of over 44 communities and in consideration of fairness and inclusivity, other communities should also be supported for top leadership positions in our beloved country.
iv. That the Gusii Community, being the 5th largest in Kenya have come of age and aspire to leadership positions at the national level as well as sitting at the negotiating table when dividing the national cake.
v. That we shall consolidate our numbers in the region and negotiate on a united front including our people in the local and international diaspora.
vi. That our politics shall promote respect for each other, peace and national cohesion.
vii. That we shall continue to espouse economic principles that promote the blue economy with focus on value addition, robust infrastructure development and skills development.
viii. That our youth should be taken seriously and provided with sustainable projects of development that will empower them, and we reject the politics of ‘wheelbarrows’ that condemns them to be hustlers for life.
ix. That we fully support the Government’s comprehensive policies and programmes on the Big Four Agenda as a means of realising sustainable economic development in the country.
x. That National Government provides an Economic Stimulus package for key growth sectors including transport, value addition and agri-business to create employment and spur growth to offset the negative economic impacts wrought by COVID-19.
xi. That we support the President in the fight against corruption.
We call on others to join us in pursuing this agenda.
Adopted on behalf of Nyanza counties on this 19th Day of August 2021 at Oyugis in Homabay County by: –
1. Kisii/Nyamira Counties:
Hon. Dr. Fred Matiang’i – Cabinet Secretary, Interior_______
H.E. Hon. James E.O. Ongwae – Governor, Kisii County ______
H.E. Hon. Amos Nyaribo – Governor, Nyamira County ______
Hon. Prof. Sam Ongeri – Senator, Kisii County _________
Hon. Okong’o Omogeni – Senator Nyamira County_______
Hon. Janet Ong’era – County MP. Kisii ____________
Hon. Jerusha Momanyi – County MP. Nyamira ________
2. Kisumu/Homabay/Siaya/Migori counties