Ukambani politics may change ahead of the 2022 elections as three governors from the region announced that they will rally the community in a different political direction.
Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana has said he will not be forced to support Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka as the Ukambani kingpin and a 2022 presidential contender.
Kibwana said he is not out to cause a rift in Ukambani but only concerned about the welfare of Makueni people.
“I can’t wish to be among those out to divide Kambas, but I don’t want anybody to coerce me to support him,” he said during a Jamhuri Day rally at Nziu, Makueni.
The region has been relying on Kalonzo Musyoka, the co-principal of Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) as the community spokesperson but elders now have appointed Dr. Alfred Mutua, the governor of Machakos county as the new leader.
The three governors in Ukambani announced that they will rally the community in a different political direction.
Alfred Mutua (Machakos), Charity Ngilu (Kitui) and Kivutha Kibwana (Makueni) on Wednesday said Kambas need fresh leadership that more focused on developing the region and negotiating strongly for national resources.
The three county chiefs, who met in Kivandini, Machakos County, at Dr Mutua’s invitation, held a closed-door meeting before addressing two public rallies in Masinga Constituency, where they accused Mr Musyoka for fomenting political wars in their counties.
“Going forward, we’ll speak with one voice to unite the community and negotiate directly with the national government on the issues affecting our region,” Dr Mutua, said.
His close ally, Mwala MP Vincent Musyoka, set the ball rolling when he told the gathering that the former vice president had reached his political plateau, and that it is time the community charted a different route to leadership.
“Every idea has an expiry date. We should be understood when we say it’s time for Kalonzo Musyoka to retire from politics and allow fresh leaders to take up the mantle,” the MP said.
His remarks followed similar sentiments by ward representatives accompanying the governors, who warned that the community cannot continue investing politically in Mr Musyoka in his quest for the presidency and expect anything different.
“You cannot do the same thing over and over again and expect different results. Kambas need a stronger voice at the national table to avoid being in the opposition again,” Mr Alex Ng’ang’a, Kitui deputy minority leader, said.