I am not a gun for hire, says Alfred Mutua

Governor Alfred Mutua

MACHAKOS: The supremacy contest pitting former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka against Governor Alfred Mutua has taken a different twist after the governor dismissed claims that he is a gun for hire by the Jubilee regime.

Dr Mutua said contrary to his critics' views, his main aim is to propel the county out of poverty by initiating projects aimed at transforming the livelihoods of the people.

He said he is open to working with all leaders from the region provided their main agenda will be to roll back poverty, and not perpetuate politics of chest-thumping and tribal hatred.

"The people of Machakos who elected me to serve them come number one, number two and number three, that is the spirit of 'Maendeleo Chap Chap' (speeding up development)," said Mutua.

His remarks come barely two days after Kalonzo accused the Jubilee administration of employing divide and rule tactics in order to gain a grip lower eastern region.

In an interview with The Standard, Mr Kalonzo in apparent reference to Mutua claimed that State House had hatched a plot to raid Ukambani politically, but vowed that the scheme will not work.

But Mutua in a statement Monday, said political leaders who have been blaming him for allegedly being used by the ruling coalition to divide the Kamba nation politically were "hooked onto power at the expense of the masses."

"Many people have been asking what my desire is, but I tell them I am not interested in seeking power, but in doing service for the people," read the statement in part.

Already, two major political factions have emerged in Ukambani; one backing Kalonzo Musyoka, and the other supporting the Machakos governor.

Those who support the former VP argue that Mutua is a political novice who is merely being bankrolled by President Uhuru Kenyatta's regime.