Raila, Ngilu union may tilt political equation in Ukambani

By Mutinda Mwanzia

Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s tour of Ukambani has opened new political power play in the region, with former MPs taking the centre stage to popularise the PM in Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka’s backyard.

Raila, who was last week hosted by Water Minister Charity Ngilu in Machakos, is making inroads in the region ahead of the 2012 General Election.

Ngilu, an ally of the PM, has been instrumental in setting up structures to popularise Raila in various constituencies in Ukambani.

Her strategy is to use former MPs, some who have fallen out with the VP to market the PM. She says Raila’s march to State House is unstoppable, adding he is becoming acceptable even in regions that were previously hostile.

"He is a leader Kenyans can trust and his track record in fighting for justice is well known," she says.

The Kitui Central MP braved the ODM-Kenya wave to retain her seat in 2007, against Kalonzo personal assault on her.

Assistant Ministers Wavinya Ndeti (Kathiani), Harun Mwau (Kilome) and Charles Nyamai (Kitui West), also won their seats on different party tickets.

Ignored allies

Among the notable faces in the Kitui Central MP’s stable is former Machakos Town MP Daudi Mwanzia, who was Kalonzo’s ally in the Ninth Parliament.

Mwanzia has turned into one of the VP’s harshest critics, claiming he has ignored his allies, especially those who lost their seats in the 2007 General Election. Dr Victor Munyaka beat him. "I have no regrets being in Ngilu’s camp since it is made up of individuals who have integrity and are not self-centred," he says.

He says the VP uses and dumps his allies for political convenience, adding he would not support him again.

Kibwezi MP Philip Kaloki, one of Kalonzo’s allies, admits former MPs are a threat if not checked. "Any sitting MP must be wary of a former MP and what is happening in Ukambani at the moment should not be underestimated," says Kaloki.

Other former MPs coalescing around the Kitui Central MP and Raila include Kalembe Ndile (Kibwezi), Agnes Ndetei (Kibwezi), Francis Nyenze (Kitui West), Grace Mwewa (Nominated), Moffat Maitha (Kangundo), Peter Maundu (Makueni), Alphonce Musyoki (Machakos Town) and Fredrick Kalulu (Mbooni).

But MPs allied to the VP say using ‘political rejects’ to campaign for Raila in Ukambani would flop.

Munyaka says the former MPs should not expect to have it easy.

The MP faced the wrath of the Ngilu-Raila wave in Ukambani when he was booed out of the dais during a public rally last week at the Mulu Mutisya grounds in his constituency.

Political observers say the entry of Raila into Ukambani, and to some extent the larger Eastern Province, will certainly complicate Kalonzo’s chances.