By Suleiman Mbatiah
The Luo community living in Nakuru County has declared its support for Governor Susan Kihika’s reelection bid, praising her strong development track record and an inclusive leadership style that ‘has ensured fair representation and equal opportunities for all communities.’
Through its leadership, the community said the Governor had demonstrated a true spirit of devolution and upheld the principles of national unity, fostering inclusion, equitable development, and shared progress, in sharp contrast to her predecessors’ leadership approaches and governance records.
“You have shown us that Nakuru is a county where merit knows no ethnic boundaries and where every community has a seat at the high table of governance,” said Dr Ogada Omondi, the secretary general of the Luo Council of Elders – Nakuru Chapter.
The leadership particularly took note of the appointment of Ms Elga Riaga as the Minister for Sports, Youth, and Gender saying the Governor did not just fill a vacancy but identified a technocrat of high integrity and a leader whose work ethic mirrors her own.
Dr Ogada highlighted that through this appointment, the Governor had demonstrated that her administration is a rich mix of different cultures and that Nakuru is a county where merit knows no ethnic boundaries and where every community has a seat at the high table of governance.
Dr Eliud Garry, a council member added that the Luo community recognizes in the Governor a development impetus, a leader who is restless and progressive in matters of the county development which mirrors in the National ecosystem.
He said the community had witnessed the transformation of the county’s infrastructure ecosystem, the revitalization of urban centers, and a renewed sense of hope in the county’s youth, gender and sports sector, citing it as a blueprint for how a cosmopolitan county should be governed.
“You have fostered an ecosystem where we can trade, thrive, and build together in peace and sustainability. This social ecosystem stability is the bedrock upon which the economic prosperity of our county is being built, and for this, we are truly grateful,” he stated.
On her part, Governor Kihika said the Luo community remains an important part of Nakuru County’s diverse and cosmopolitan character, contributing to its growth, unity, and peaceful coexistence.
“I appreciate your gesture and look forward to our continued collaboration as we build a prosperous Nakuru for all,” she stated while thanking the council and the community for the continued support.
Former Kivumbini Councilor Risper Atieno said Governor Kihika had implemented the broad-based government concept long before President William Ruto and former Prime Minister the late Raila Odinga when she picked Ms Josephine Achieng, Ms Elga’s predecessor.
She added that the Luo community is a minority in Nakuru County but with a very strong voting bloc that no politician can dare ignore in the hunt for votes. She pleaded with the Governor to pick more from the community and confirmed those already serving under contract terms.
“Our former Chairman of Luo Council of Elders, the late Kerr Riaga Ogallo, must be very happy in his grave for you having his daughter in top management level in your administration,” she stated while asking Ms Elga to work diligently.
Ms Elga Governor said Governor Kihika’s leadership continued to be tested and affirmed by her courage to champion inclusivity, particularly through fair and representative appointments. She thanked the Governor for believing in her capabilities.
Accountant and politician, Mr Hezron Okiki appreciated the Governor for picking Ms Elga and advised her to be consulting and making important communications to the community through the established structure. He decried proliferation of brokers, some even outside the Luo community.
“Luo community is an entity which is independent. That is to say, in case she may require engagement of the Luo community, let her not pass through any proxy. We can gather together, present and address our issues as a community,” he advised.
As a gesture of appreciation, the community presented two goats to the Governor and her family for the festive season. They also thanked her for foodstuffs and monetary donations to needy families during Christmas and New Year celebrations over the years.
