Ex-DP Rigathi Gachagua meets a delegation of Somali elders from Isiolo County. PHOTO/UGC.. By ISSA MOHAMED. [email protected]. The newly formed Peoples Loyal Coalition (PLC) seeks to unite Kenyans across different political and ethnic lines former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, has said.. Gachagua who was speaking when Somali elders from Isiolo County led by businessman Hussein Mohamed Jama and Ibrahim Mahamud Hajji visited him at his Nairobi office said the coalition leaders would be visiting Isiolo County soon to listen to problems faced by the area residents.. During the meeting the elders discussed development concerns of Isiolo county that includes poor roads network, water scarcity, insecurity, historical injustices and the ongoing plans to host Peoples Loyal Coalition (PLC) in Isiolo County.. This engagement comes at a critical moment as the newly formed Peoples Loyal Coalition (PLC) seeks to carve out a distinctive role in addressing the county’s long-standing socio-economic challenges.. The formation of the PLC, which includes prominent politicians such as Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua, DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa, Governor George Natembeya of the Tawe Movement, and Dr. Fred Matiang’i of the United Progressive Alliance, positions the coalition as a broad political front.. At the heart of Gachagua’s remarks was the coalition’s commitment to a comprehensive and inclusive approach to governance. The Ex-DP said the PLC’s ambition is to build a platform that brings together Kenyans across various political affiliations and ethnic backgrounds.. Gachagua said the pressing issues facing Isiolo, such as inadequate infrastructure, water scarcity, insecurity, and the lingering effects of historical injustices have for years, hampered the county’s development, and positioned the PLC as a solution-oriented force aimed at addressing these disparities.. Gachagua’s emphasis on inclusivity and equitable resource distribution underlines a central tenet of the PLC’s political philosophy. He suggested that through the coalition’s collective leadership, Isiolo could benefit from a more balanced approach to development.. This includes prioritising the improvement of key infrastructure, particularly the road network, and addressing the region’s critical water shortages. These interventions are vital to Isiolo’s growth, especially considering the county’s strategic location and its pivotal role in regional trade and security.. The yet to be registered coalition’s proposed model of governance, which seeks collaboration across political boundaries, could enhance cooperation between national and county governments, thereby facilitating the efficient allocation of resources and funding for infrastructure projects.. PLC aim at creating a platform that appeals to a wide demographic, combining regional and national concerns in a way that is intended to foster unity and bring about tangible political change.. Ex-DP Rigathi Gachagua meets a delegation of Somali elders from Isiolo led by businessman Hussein Mohamed Jama and Ibrahim Mahamud Hajji. PHOTO/UGC.. Gachagua’s framing of the coalition as a movement that transcends ethnic and political lines is a deliberate attempt to reconfigure Kenya’s political narrative, which has often been characterised by rivalry and fragmentation.. The commitment to prioritise Isiolo’s County Integrated Development Plan (2023-2027), which outlines strategic interventions for addressing local needs, is another significant aspect of the PLC’s policy focus.. The integration of national political forces with localised development plans presents an opportunity for a more synchronised effort in addressing regional challenges.. PLC’s promise to visit Isiolo County, engaging directly with local communities, underscores the coalition’s commitment to the development agenda. This type of grassroots political engagement is critical in a country where top-down governance often leaves local voices underrepresented.. Recent political efforts, such as the initiatives by Kikuyu and Somali chiefs to reduce ethnic tensions, indicate a shift towards fostering inter-community dialogue and cooperation.. Gachagua’s efforts to forge ties with the Somali elders in Isiolo could be seen as an extension of this broader strategy to bridge the gap between Kenya’s diverse communities.. Through the PLC, Gachagua seeks to address critical development challenges in Isiolo and other regions while promoting political cohesion across the country.. The strategic inclusivity promoted by the coalition could, if effectively implemented, offer a blueprint for more equitable development in Kenya.. This effort to unite various political and ethnic groups reflects an evolving political maturity, where collaboration is seen as key to overcoming the socio-economic challenges that continue to impede the country’s progress.
