No end to Machakos County wars

President Kenyatta plants a tree at the New Machakos City site during the launch of the project, assisted by Green Africa Foundation chairman Dr Isaac Kalua. Looking on is Governor Alfred Mutua and other leaders.

By PHILIP MUASYA

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The end is nowhere in sight for the turf war between Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua and Senator Johnstone Muthama.

Twice in as many weeks, former Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka has pledged to defuse bad blood between the two.

But the feuding leaders are digging in, both of them seeking legal redress.

On Friday last week, Muthama moved to court to block President Uhuru Kenyatta from presiding over the launch of the investment strategic plan for the new Machakos city.

On Monday, Mutua swore an affidavit explaining why Muthama was unhappy with him.

Speaking in Mwingi on Tuesday, the former VP said he would convince Muthama to withdraw the court case against Mutua, describing it as hopeless.

“I will advise him to withdraw the case. On this one Muthama is sincerely wrong and I will talk to him and I’m sure he will see the sense,” Kalonzo said, adding that Mutua’s vision for Machakos was clear and should not be curtailed.

Kalonzo, however, said Muthama’s differences with Mutua should not be used by the Jubilee government to intimidate him.

“When they withdraw his (Muthama’s) bodyguards, then we read mischief,” he said.

Differences between the two Wiper party leaders seem to escalate to new levels, with Muthama lately threatening to institute a defamation suit against Mutua.

Incessant fights

The Senator claims Mutua defamed him during a local TV interview in which the governor said Muthama’s incessant fights were political after he refused to agree to his alleged demands of “cutting deals”

Mr Muthama says such comments have stained his name as a leader and international businessman and portrayed him as a person out to embezzle public funds. He vows a bruising court battle against Mutua.

However, the genesis of their differences can be traced prior to the last General Election where Muthama campaigned against Mutua in the Wiper party primaries.

Even after Mutua won the Wiper ticket and subsequent gubernatorial election with a landslide, Muthama has never shown any support for him, choosing instead to appear indifferent. “Muthama wanted me to seek his blessings before contesting for the governor’s seat, but really such things are beyond me. I can never do that,” said Mutua during the TV interview.

What clearly brought the hostility to the fore is Mutua’s plan to give out free land to investors, who in turn are expected to employ thousands of Machakos County residents.

Mr Muthama had moved to the High Court to stop the launch of Investment Strategic Plan for New Machakos City last week attended by President Kenyatta over alleged encroachment on Ministry of Agriculture land.

The court, however, declined to issue such orders and the ceremony went on with leaders in attendance tearing into Muthama’s leadership style. He gave the event a wide berth.

First to take him head on was Machakos Town MP Victor Munyaka, who called on Muthama to desist from divisive politics and join hands with Mutua.

“Don’t listen to disgruntled and misplaced voices of people who live in the past. As leaders we should join hands and work for the success of Machakos County,” Munyaka said, in a clear slight to Muthama.

Lands Cabinet Secretary Charity Ngilu advised Mutua not to be cowed because he has the mandate of Machakos people.

The President also took a swipe at Muthama. “Let us change our politics to focus on development regardless of party affiliations. Why would somebody want to stop something like this?” posed Uhuru.

Mr Mutua has crafted a working relationship with all MPs and majority of Members of County Assembly leaving Muthama cutting the image of a lone figure supposedly groping in the dark.

Muthama, however, says he is ready to stand alone for the sake of his people, insisting he is not opposed to development plans but dishing out of free land.

Land question

“I am out to stop allocation of free land to investors in Machakos County. The investors must pay for the land because there is no free land in Kenya. If that means I will be left standing alone, then I’m ready to stand alone,” declared Muthama during a TV interview.

He said the 2,200 acres scheduled to be given to investors for free can fetch Sh22 billion, meaning each of the eight constituencies in the county can get Sh2.7 billion to solve the residents’ myriad problems. “This is unfair, irregular and unspeakable. The so-called investors will just construct small structures and pay our people peanuts. There is no magic in this,” said Muthama, noting land grabbers will take advantage of the situation. But Mutua says Muthama wants to frustrate the Sh1.5 trillion Machakos City project for political reasons.

Deal cutting

“I have welcomed him to work with us. The programmes I have are for provision of food, health care, water and renewed hope to the Machakos people. I refuse to enter into deals with people who want to fatten their stomachs,” Mutua said.

But what could be irking Muthama even more is Mutua’s unapologetic closeness with the Jubilee government whose leaders he has no kind words for.

It is to be remembered that Muthama played an instrumental role in bringing Kalonzo and former Premier Raila Odinga, once considered incompatible and bitter rivals, together in the run up to the last elections. For this feat, Muthama considers himself kingmaker in Ukambani. Kalonzo promises he will prevail upon Muthama to soften his stance against the governor.