Mumo Matemu now eyeing Machakos governorship

Mumo Matemu at the Public Service Commission in Nairobi on the 8th of November,2011 where he was interviewed for the position of the chair of the Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission. PHOTO:EVANS HABIL

Hounded out of one of the best remunerated jobs in the country, former Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission Chairman Mumo Matemu is reportedly mulling over joining elective politics.

He has been meeting political strategists, opinion shapers and leaders in Machakos County, where he comes from, with a view to make up his mind on whether to run for Machakos County governorship.

Matemu (pictured) resigned as chair of the EACC in May last year following a systematic campaign targeting commissioners of the anti-graft body, which had blessings of top Jubilee leadership.

He has since retreated into private law practice, consultancy and farming.

When The Standard on Sunday reached out to him to confirm whether he was angling to dislodge current Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua, he was non-committal.

“I have heard the same rumours too. If that is taken to mean that the people spreading those rumours recognise my qualities as a leader then I am most humbled. Having said that, if and when I will be interested in any elective seat, you will not need to ask me. You will see the interest yourself.”

“The fact is that one cannot conduct political campaigns or agitation in their homes or offices. They must go out at some point. Before that I will have informed everyone concerned,” he added.

The news of Matemu’s entry into the race comes at a time when Dr Mutua is struggling to shake off a corruption case initiated by EACC during Matemu’s reign.

For the umpteenth time this week, the Governor avoided appearing in court after the Court of Appeal granted him an injunction on the eve of his appearance on the dock.

The matter involved purchase of 15 Subaru Outback cars and a Toyota Land Cruiser. According to documents availed to the court by EACC investigators, Mutua personally sourced for the vehicles and “exerted his influence to single source” them from Extreme Auto’s Ltd, a second hand motor vehicle dealer. The purchase was approved by the first county cabinet meeting on April 16, 2013 following Mutua’s request.

Mutua has denied flouting any rules and claimed he acted in the best interests of the county in purchasing the vehicles.

Associates of the former EACC boss say he is seeking to dislodge Mutua, the man whom he investigated over irregular purchase of vehicles before he left Integrity Centre.

“You should read between the lines of what he is telling you. The man is quite cunning and ruthlessly calculative. I can tell you without fear of contradiction that he has been assembling a political war-chest in the last few months,” a lawyer associate of his told The Standard on Sunday.

If he joins the race, Matemu will join a swell of politicians angling to remove Mutua who has fallen out with Wiper Democratic Movement leadership in the area. Wiper is the dominant political party in the region. Others in the race include former assistant minister Wavinya Ndeti and Mutua’s deputy Bernard Kiala.

Former Yatta MP Charles Kilonzo is also said to be in the race while the current Yatta MP Francis Mwangangi has postponed his governorship bid to 2022.

Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko has built an imposing home by a hill in the county giving indications that he could also step in when the going gets tough for him in Nairobi. He has however denied that he will vie in Machakos.

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