Kitui big guns could ditch parliamentary politics

By Stephen Makabila

Kitui County, home to political heavyweights such as Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, could have the highest number of MPs opting out of parliamentary contest to seek higher offices.

At least four MPs in the county – Kalonzo, Water Minister Charity Ngilu, Assistant Minister David Musila, and Mutito MP Kiema Kilonzo – have their eyes set on bigger slots.

While Kalonzo has been on the presidential campaign trail since last year, and has publicly stated he will not defended his Mwingi North seat, Ngilu last week hinted she was eyeing the presidency, and thus will not defend her Kitui Central seat.

“When Narc’s NDC meets to pick its presidential candidate, and says that I am the one, then I will take up the call because I know I am fit for the position,” Ngilu said last Friday during her husband’s memorial service.

Narc Chief Executive Fidelis Nguli had hinted the NDC was set within one month. Musila, who is a Kalonzo ally, has been on the campaign trail seeking support to be elected Kitui senator, paving the way for new comers in the Mwingi South seat.

Kiema, who is allied to Ngilu, had said he is interested in the Kitui County governorship, but is yet to hit the ground. Two other constituencies in Kitui County are Kitui West held by Charles Nyamai, and Kitui South represented by Isaac Muoki. The other two counties in lower Eastern, considered the bedrock of Kalonzo’s support, include Machakos and Makueni.

If Ngilu misses on the presidential ballot, she could remain with the options of defending her parliamentary seat, contest the Kitui senator position, or Kitui County governorship.

If she defends her parliamentary seat, Ngilu would run against Wiper Democratic Movement’s Kitui County chairman Makali Mulu, who is Kalonzo’s pointman. Mulu, who was also in the 2007 parliamentary contest, confirmed he would be in the race.

Higher offices

“I am in the race for the seat. We expect Ngilu to go for a higher seat and even some of her supporters are willing to elect me as the next area MP,” added Mulu. Also interested in Ngilu’s seat is former Cabinet minister George Ndotto, who has been trying unsuccessfully to reclaim the seat he lost to Ngilu in the 1997 General Election.

In Mwingi North, Kalonzo’s rival for the parliamentary seat John Musee has backtracked and instead, endorsed his wife to vie for the seat.

Musee held a party for Mwingi North constituents at his Ndoo village home in Tyaa-Kamuthale Location of Mumoni District. He announced then that he was offering his wife, Agnes Kambua, to run for the seat.

But unlike her husband, Kambua, who is the Kyuso Kenya National Union of Teachers branch secretary, will not face Kalonzo in the race as the latter is running for president.

Knut chairman Wilson Sossion told The Standard On Sunday the union leadership would support Kambua.

“We are going to support her realise her dream, just like we will do to other aspirants who are our members. We want more and more of our members to secure leadership positions in government,” added Sossion.

The Kitui County senator race has so far only attracted Musila. Early in the year, MPs Muoki (Kitui South) and Nyamai (Kitui West) led dozens of civic leaders in assuring the Mwingi South MP of their support.

Musila’s current seat is up for grabs, and Knut official Jonathan Mutambu from Migwani District recently announced he would vie for it.

Ngilu’s ally, Kiema, has in the past declared interest in running for governorship, and if the minister decides to go for the same, it would be a major contest between the two.

Others who have shown interest in running for governorship include former Committee of Experts chairman Nzamba Kitonga, Julius Malombe, and businessman Kenneth Ngumbau.