Kibwana in talks with Raila men for a possible 2022 pact

Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana [Boniface Okendo,Standard]

Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana is in talks with Orange Democratic Party (ODM) in search of a winning formula ahead of 2022 general elections.

The second term governor seems to be trying to actualize his aspirations to ditch the Kalonzo Musyoka’s led party-Wiper Democratic Movement which enjoys a mass following in Ukambani.

 Yesterday,  Kibwana held closed-door talks with Orange Democratic Movement party officials from the Lower Eastern region about the possibility of working together.

In a statement signed by ODM party county chairpersons from Machakos, Makueni and Kitui, the party said it was wooing Kibwana to work with ODM because he espouses similar development and pro-reform ideologies similar to the party’s leader Raila Odinga.

“Today we had a fruitful discussion with Kivutha Kibwana about national and regional politics and crucially about emerging national and regional development issues,” the statement read by Kitui ODM Chairman Peter Munyasya reads in part.

The officials asked Kibwana to work together with Mr Odinga for the prosperity of this nation.

 “On behalf of ODM, we asked Kibwana and his allies to work with ODM either directly or through a like-minded party of his choice,” said Munyasya when they were addressing media shortly after the meeting

Kibwana on his part said he and Odinga together with other pro-reform leaders share the same development mindset in terms of agitating for genuine change to take the country forward.

He said it would therefore not be difficult for him to work with Odinga.

Kibwana said he would consult his supporters and political allies before a final decision is reached.

The Makueni county chief asked ODM to also engage his Machakos and Kitui counterparts Alfred Mutua and Charity Ngilu as they have previously held talks with the ODM party leader so that the region works together as a block.