Ukambani governors in unity pact

Governors Professor Kivutha Kibwana (Makueni), Dr Alfred Mutua (Machakos) and Dr Julius Malombe (Kitui) join hands in a solidarity move to work closely together during a rally at Masii stadium in Machakos County. (Photo: Paul Mutua/Standard)

Three Ukambani governors have resolved to strengthen their new-found unity to protect themselves against their political enemies.

Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua, Kivutha Kibwana of Makueni and Kitui's Julius Malombe said there was a scheme to fight them and derail their development agenda.

The three, who spoke in Masii town in Mwala constituency, blamed their woes on unnamed elected leaders who they said were envious of their development achievements.

Joint agenda

The governors said no amount of opposition and intimidation would stop them from advancing their joint development agenda for the region.

They said they had resolved to forge a unity of purpose as heads of their respective county governments in order to spur development in the region.

Dr Malombe and Dr Mutua condemned the impeachment of their Makueni colleague and pledged to stand with him in his tribulations.

Mutua said Prof Kibwana's impeachment would not materialise.

"If Makueni residents want the county dissolved in favour of fresh elections, we shall camp there to ensure Kibwana recaptures the seat," Mutua said.

Alternative party

Mutua, who hosted his colleagues in Machakos, claimed some leaders were setting fires in the three counties only to come back and pretend to put them out.

He talked of how a number of members of the Machakos assembly (MCAs) were allegedly summoned to Nairobi and instructed to undermine him.

Mutua said he was firmly in Wiper but hinted at looking for an alternative party if pushed out of the Kalonzo Musyoka-led party.

Kibwana said they had resolved to think and work together to ensure the region and residents benefited from the fruits of devolution.

"The three of us are now one and we are going to be the pillars of development because we want to make a difference in the region," declared Kibwana.

He regretted that the region had not witnessed meaningful development over the decades, saying there were no major projects "and our people cannot continue like this anymore".

The former constitutional and legal advisor to retired President Mwai Kibaki defended himself against claims that he was corrupt.

The Makueni governor wondered why none of the 22 Wiper MCAs stood with him when he was being impeached yet he belonged to the CORD alliance.

Malombe urged residents in the three counties to be their shields from detractors who wanted to destabilise them.

He emphasised the need for elected leaders in the region to sit down and try to find the root cause of the problems bedeviling the region.

Malombe, who is the current chairman of the Ukambani governors' forum, said they would stand with Kibwana.