Is Kalonzo’s time as Ukambani Political Kingpin up?
The Wiper Party leader is staring at a possible political coup staged by the three Ukambani governors in a bid to control the region’s politics ahead of the next General Election.
Two of the governors are seeking to get into the national politics after serving their second and final terms in the counties.
Kalonzo yesterday downplayed the magnitude of the political realignment being shaped by Governors Kivutha Kibwana (Makueni) and Alfred Mutua (Machakos) — second term governors eyeing the presidency — and Kitui’s Charity Ngilu, his perennial political rival.
“There are no wrangles in Wiper and Ukambani,” said Kalonzo. “I don’t want to comment on what they have been saying because I know the people will deal with them at the right time.”
Mutua yesterday sustained the onslaught on Kalonzo, saying: “We cant run away from the succession issue. The person leading the Kamba community is not known for being pro-development. There needs to be a change of guard, as it does not make sense for him to remain a kingpin for poor people.”
Kalonzo’s lieutenants MPs Daniel Maanzo (Makueni), Ben Momanyi (Borabu), Gideon Mulyungi (Mwingi Central) and former Kathiani MP Wavinya Ndeti have dismissed the three governors — who on Sunday announced formation of a movement to deal with poverty in the region that has traditionally backed Kalonzo — as political novices.“
All of them rode on Kalonzo’s popularity to be elected, but the citizens of the three counties are not entirely with them. It seems they are now intimidating the MCAs to dance to their tunes. We shall deal with them,” said Mr Maanzo.