Akamba welcome Jubilee, Wiper pact

Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council CEO Daniel Yumbya. [File, Standard]

The decision by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka to enter into a post-election deal with President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee party has won the praise of his Eastern backyard.

At the weekend, professionals from the region said the deal demonstrated “selflessness and patriotism” at a time the country faces economic challenges occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Fostering national unity and spurring socio-political and economic development could not have come at a better time,” said the group.

On Thursday, Wiper party endorsed a “cooperation agreement” with Jubilee and Kanu. The party’s National Executive Council gave a go-ahead to Kalonzo to enter into the deal.

“The council of the Wiper Democratic Movement-Kenya, meeting under the leadership of the party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, has today authorised Musyoka to seal a cooperation agreement with Jubilee and Kanu,” read the endorsement.

Kalonzo said despite the new working arrangement, Wiper would continue being a member of the National Super Alliance (NASA). “This deal does not breach our agreements under NASA,” he said.

On Saturday, the professionals group chaired by Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council CEO Daniel Yumbya, said the pact would ensure cohesion and equity in distribution of State projects.

“The history of the Kamba community has been one of loyalty to the government of the day,” they added.

The region’s professionals who endorsed the deal included Yumbya, Ezekiel Mutua, CEO, Kenya Film Classification Board, KMTC chairman Phillip Kaloki, former EACC chairman Mumo Matemu, Prof Donald Kombo of Kenyatta University and Prof Geoffrey Muluvi, Vice Chancellor of South Eastern Kenya University.

Others were former KMTC boss Timothy King’ondu, John Mwendwa, director, Ease of Doing Business and Prof Julius Kyambi, who is a paediatric surgeon at the University of Nairobi.