Kibwana backs Mutua for presidency

Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana has backed Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua’s bid for the presidency in 2022.

Prof Kibwana (pictured), who hosted Dr Mutua at a school fundraiser in Makindu at the weekend, said the Wiper party leadership had agreed to lift political barriers erected against Mutua, who is the leader of Maendeleo Chap Chap party.

“Mutua is hunting and Kalonzo is also hunting. And we know hunters converge at some point. We have said that the two should proceed with their hunting mission,” said Kibwana.

“It is not for us to discourage budding leaders to shelve their ambitions because it is possible for them to eventually succeed. As the party chairman of Wiper, I have consulted with Kalonzo and resolved to end all political conflicts,” he added.

There has been open political rivalry and bad blood between the former vice president and the Machakos governor after the latter fell out with the former and went ahead to chart his own political path outside Wiper.

Differences escalated

Kalonzo and Mutua’s differences escalated in the run-up to last year’s General Election when the Wiper party leader backed Mutua’s rival, former Kathiani MP Wavinya Ndeti in the governorship race.

Mutua successfully defended his seat.

Mutua then threw his support behind President Uhuru Kenyatta’s re-election against Opposition leader Raila Odinga, whose running mate was Kalonzo.

During Saturday’s event, Mutua and Kibwana staged a ‘political handshake’ before a huge crowd and pledged to open a new chapter of forging political, economic and social unity.

Mutua said he would vie for the presidency once his second and final term as governor expired.