Gusii leaders to Ruto: ‘We want Suneka airstrip to remain'

President William Ruto has been asked to rescind the plan to decommission Suneka Airstrip in Kisii.

Political leaders who turned up at the burial of former Bonchari MP Zebedeo Opore on Saturday said majority of the residents are opposed to the move.

They said they want their airstrip retained even as the government mulls to do an airport in Nyangusu.

Former Bobasi MP Stephen Manoti urged serving legislators to entreat the President to allow the airstrip allowed to operate.

"The silence we are seeing on this matter from our mps now in parliament is loud and deafening. Let's have a united stand and ask that the President change his heart on the decommissioning," said Mr Manoti.

He termed the decision by Ruto to decommission the airstrip regrettable.

"If our airstrip can be taken in such a manner and our legislators remain silent, then where are we as a community?" he posed.

Vocal Senator Richard Onyonka said he was the only one who has unflinchingly remained opposed to the decommissioning of the airstrip.

"When the President said about the decommissioning of the airstrip, I am the only one who stood to oppose him," Senator Onyonka stated.

The President had decommissioned the airstrip and asked the local leaders to allow the land be utilised for the affordable housing project.

Bomachoge Borabu MP Obadiah Barongo said after the decommissioning, there were plans to have an airport at Nyangusu in his Constituency, but the plan was yet to be actualized.

Kisii Governor Simba Arati said the late Opore will be remembered for tarmacking most roads within his Constituency and in helping the poor access education.

"If you look at this Constituency, most roads here are tarmacked and all this credit goes to the man who is sleeping in that casket," Governor Arati said.

Nominated Senator Essy Okenyuri implored leaders to unite to foster the Gusii community's bargaining power in subsequent governments.

She lauded Opore for supporting and mentoring young leaders in politics and urged others to emulate him.

West Mugirango MP Steve Mogaka claimed there is a conspiracy in the country to try and make Gusiiland air locked.

"It cannot be that the colonial airstrip cannot be made an airport many years after independence," Mr Mogaka said.

Former South Mugirango MP Omingo Magara urged for Gusii unity.