?Kalonzo defends record as governors miss talks

Wiper Democratic Movement Leader Hon Kalonzo Musyoka and other Leaders during the Komarock 2 Convention in Matungulu Constituency, Machakos County. (Dennis Kavisu, Standard)

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka moved to consolidate his political stranglehold of Ukambani region, asserting his dominance and taking over leadership of the regional economic block championed by rebellious area governors.

At a meeting in Komarock, Machakos County, the former VP defended his development record, supported calls for a referendum and called for end of bickering in the region. 

He also told off governors Kivutha Kibwana (Makueni) Charity Ngilu (Kitui) and Alfred Mutua (Machakos) who have questioned his development record and rallied under the South Eastern Kenya Economic Bloc (SEKEB) to champion regional development. The three did not attend the meeting.

He said he had called the three governors ahead of the meeting but Ngilu sent her apologies, Kibwana is out of the country and Mutua was unreachable on phone.

“Today I declare myself patron of SEKEB and I urge MCAs in all county assemblies to develop legislation that will legitimise its operations,” Kalonzo said

The Wiper boss asked all leaders of majority in the county assemblies to carry out oversight role without derailing development agendas mooted by governors. He denied reports that he had incited them against the governors.

“I have not incited MCAs against governors as claimed by a section of the media. Instead, I have asked all MCAs to sit with governors and agree because we don’t want them to hold development hostage,” he said.

But Kalonzo also asked them to speak out against theft of public resources. He told the governors to stop questioning his past achievements. “This is a marathon race. It cannot be won by people who are out to discredit others. I didn’t have billions for county or CDF to develop the region. Who doesn’t know I launched projects while in government?” he posed.

Some of the projects, he said, include universities such as South East University Kenya, Machakos University, headquarters of Lake Victoria Development Authority to be brought to Kisumu, Kiambere Water Project and electricity project in Kajiado region among others.

Rebellion at home

He downplayed the simmering political rebellion in his backyard. “I am not a governor and I don’t aspire to be one. I’m not the type that blows their own trumpet. While everyone has a legitimate right to seek any office, they should do so within the rules of the game,” he said, and added that his status didn’t allow for disunity either in Ukambani or in other parts.

On 2022, he said Wiper will join forces with other parties including jubilee, Ford Kenya, ANC and ODM to support creation of an expanded executive to ensure inclusivity in government.

A thirteen-point declaration was read by Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Junior where he emphasised that the community would rally behind Kalonzo ahead of 2022 polls.

“We fully mandate Kalonzo to move ahead and seek and build political alliances,” he read.

The meeting was attended by Nairobi governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko, nominated Jubilee Senator Isaac Mwaura, Wiper legislators and MCAs among other leaders.