Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga on Thursday, July 1, intervened to solve a simmering dispute between Interior CS Fred Matiang’i and Kisii governor James Ongwae who had been pitted in a political battle after the recently held Bonchari by-elections.

According to a statement from ODM, Raila held a lunch with the two leaders in a bid to solve their differences.

The ODM leader was flanked by Suna East MP Junet Mohamed and a section of leaders from the Gusii community.

“Raila Odinga, this afternoon had a lunch meeting with a section of leaders from the Gusii region led by CS Fred Matiangi and Governor James Ongwae.

“The leaders agreed to put aside their post-Bonchari differences and unite for the betterment of the region,” read part of a statement from ODM.

During the by-elections, ODM’s Pavel Oimeke (9,049 votes) emerged as the victor, followed closely by Jubilee’s Zebedeo Opore (7,279 votes).

Bonchari had been pegged as a face-off between Ongwae (ODM) and Matiang’i (Jubilee) who had campaigned for their respective candidates.

The by-elections came at a time when reports had indicated that Matiang’i was testing the waters for his perceived 2022 Presidential aspirations.

Further, a section of Gusii leaders had called for the region to be a unified front for the upcoming elections- with most of them hailing Matiang’i as their spokesperson.

“The next phase in the Matiang’i coronation process is to try to bring on board MPs and MCAs from the region,” Kisii senator Sam Ongeri stated at a past function.

Steven Menge, part of the Gusii council of elders, reiterated Ongeri’s sentiments. 

“We have requested him (Matiang’i) to accept the proposal and have him elevated to a Gusii elder and main spokesperson. We will set a date to formally give him that mandate,” he pointed out.