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Nyanza could be divided into two

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Published on Tuesday, 16 October 2007 00:24
Nyanza Province could be split into two before the General Election if President Kibaki accepts new demands by Kisii leaders. The new province, expected to cover parts of southern Nyanza, tops a list of demands the leaders will be presenting to the President when he flies to the area on Monday for a two-day campaign tour.

Nyanza has 16 districts with a population of about five million people. Roads minister, Mr Simeon Nyachae, and other pro-Kibaki campaigners in Gusiiland were on Sunday busy preparing their supporters to receive the President who will be fighting for a share of the community’s 700,000 votes. Kibaki is expected in Kuria constituency on Tuesday where Health Assistant minister, Dr Wilfred Machage, will show him round the constituency.

Nyanza PC, Mr Paul Olando and Kisii DC, Mr Christopher Musumbu, said preparations for the tour had been finalised.  Olando said splitting the province was long overdue. "It will be good for administrative matters," he said. Sources said the Kisii leaders will present the wish list to Kibaki when he meets them for consultations at Gusii Institute of Technology, moments before addressing a PNU rally at Gusii Stadium.

Nyachae first mooted the idea of a province for the Kisii community at a rally in South Mugirango a month ago. He said with five districts and several smaller administrative units, the community had already qualified for a province. The President’s visit will be a big test for Nyachae, Foreign Affairs minister, Mr Raphael Tuju, and former Health minister, Prof Sam Ongeri, who are spearheading his campaigns in the province largely perceived to be ODM presidential candidate, Mr Raila Odinga’s stronghold. The President’s handlers have, however, left out Luo-Nyanza, Raila’s home turf from the itinerary.