The Kuria Council of Elders Association has called on members of the Kuria community to rally behind the association in order to strengthen their collective voice in economic, political and cultural matters.
Speaking to the Kenya News Agency (KNA) in Migori, the association’s founder, Mzee Matiko Visaka, said time has come for the Kuria people to unite under one umbrella to effectively articulate their interests and development priorities.
Matiko noted that the existence of many fragmented associations within the Kuria region had weakened cohesion, making it difficult for the community to speak with one voice when advocating for political representation, economic empowerment and cultural preservation.
“We have many associations in Kuria, each pulling in its own direction. This lack of unity has made it difficult for us to agree on a common agenda or present a strong and unified agenda,” said Matiko.
He emphasized that the Kuria Council of Elders Association was established to serve all Kurians without discrimination and to champion shared interests rather than individual ambitions.
The founder also cautioned against the misuse of the association’s name for personal or political gain, warning that such actions undermine the credibility and purpose of the organization.
“Some of our members are using the association to pursue their own political or economic interests instead of negotiating and advocating on behalf of the entire Kuria community. This should stop,” he demanded.
Matiko reiterated that the association remains open to all Kurians willing to work towards unity, peace and sustainable development in the region.
The Kuria region is administratively divided into Kuria East and Kuria West constituencies, comprising four sub-counties—Mabera, Ndimaru, Kuria East and Kuria West—each largely associated with the Abagumbe, Abairege, Abanyabasi and Abakira clans. According to Matiko, this clan-based structure has at times made it challenging for the community to agree on common positions.
However, he said the association has maintained neutrality and has consistently promoted cohesion, peace, and dialogue in addressing persistent challenges facing the region.
Some key issues the association has been involved in tackling include cattle rustling, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), child labour, teenage pregnancies, forced marriages and Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
The Chairperson of the Kuria Council of Elders Association, Julius Rioba, said that effective coordination and servant leadership are critical to ensuring proper representation of the Kuria people.
“We can only achieve meaningful socio-economic transformation if we have strong associations that are focused on real issues affecting our people,” said Rioba.
He called on political leaders from the region to actively engage with the association, noting that their experience and influence could help advance the community’s development agenda.
“We have a Deputy Governor, two Members of Parliament and 12 Members of the County Assembly who can use their leadership positions to champion the welfare of the association and amplify Kuria voices,” he added.
Formed in the early 1990s, the Kuria Council of Elders Association has played a key role in shaping the region’s political landscape while also advocating for social cohesion and economic development among the Kuria community.
By Makokha Khaoya
