Kamba leaders now pledge to support Uhuru

By Victor Nzuma

KENYA: Machakos Deputy Governor Bernard Kiala and four MPs have vowed to work with President Uhuru Kenyatta and his government “to bring development to Machakos”.

Addressing a rally at Katangi market in Yatta constituency, the leaders accused Senator Johnstone Muthama of undermining Governor Alfred Mutua, saying if he doesn’t stop, they would initiate the process of removing him from office.

MPs Francis Mwangangi (Yatta), Vincent Musyoka (Mwala), Benson Mbai (Masinga) and Victor Munyaka (Machakos Town), said if Muthama would not have stopped his alleged machinations in three months, they would mobilise the electorate to forward signatures to recall him.

The MPs said the Kamba community could not afford to remain in the cold while other counties joined the national government for a share of the national cake.

“I will not shy away from seeking development assistance for my people from the Jubilee government just because I come from a region politically opposed to it,” said Mr Mwangangi.

Mr Musyoka said he would fearlessly support the President and the Jubilee government because it was the only way of achieving development for the people of Machakos.

“My conscience is very clear. I have no doubt neither fear in working with the national government,” he said. The sentiments were echoed by Mr Munyaka and Mr Mbai, who faulted the Wiper party for allegedly showing discrimination in the last General Election where those who won nominations were replaced with losers.

The two said time for tribal sycophancy is over and that the Kamba community should support the government of the day for a better future.

“Senator Muthama has been a big liability and a thorn in the flesh to the county’s development by frustrating the Governor’s efforts to bring investors to the county,” said Mr Mwangangi.

Mr Musyoka claimed that the Senator has been scaring away investors who are ready to create job opportunities for the youth in the proposed new Machakos city.

“His utterances are wanting and he should be held accountable for the loss the Machakos County residents would get if investors fail to show up,” he added.

Frequent strikes

Mr Munyaka accused the Senator of being behind frequent strikes and demonstrations in the county aimed at destabilising the governor’s efforts. Mr Kiala called on the people of Machakos County to shun Muthama’s agenda, which he claimed was aimed at wrecking development initiatives of the county government.

“Let the Senator know that every leader was elected to play his/her role without interference. The county’s development is greater than individual interests,” he said.

Mr Mbai warned that if the leadership of the Wiper Democratic Movement does not caution the Senator against fighting other leaders, then the future of the party in the region would be jeopardised.

“People from all over the 47 counties are focused on bringing development to their people and Machakos County should not be left behind because of destructive and divisive politics of one person,” he added.

But according to Senator Muthama, he is ready to stand alone for the sake of his people, insisting he is not opposed to development projects in the county but dishing out of free land to investors.