Stop this madness, Mutula kin told

Her entry into the Makueni senatorial by-election race was as dramatic as her exit. And, when Mrs Nduku Kilonzo abruptly left the race she had not even formally entered, the storm she left behind touched off a heated debate about who from the family would be in the race.

Kenyans have become used to relatives of departed politicians seeking to replace them in by-elections but the goings-on in the late Makueni senator Mutula Kilonzo’s family have attracted great attention.

During his burial at his Mbooni home in Makueni County on May 8, the family presented a united front to the thousands of mourners.

But in between the solemn faces that participated in the burial hid a deeprooted division that only came to light last Sunday when Mutula’s widow Nduku announced she was in the race to succeed her husband.

Her step-daughter, Kethi Kilonzo, was already warming up for the seat after she was quietly endorsed by the Wiper Democratic Movement where her father was secretary-general.

Kethi’s profile and popularity rose during her representation of Africog in the petition challenging President Uhuru Kenyatta’s election where she was rubbing shoulders with advocates way her senior.

The timing of Mrs Mutula’s announcement came as a complete surprise. President Kenyatta was in Machakos town to attend the 5th anniversary of the death of the Rev Urbanus Kioko, who was a long-time serving bishop of Machakos Catholic Church.

The President attended the function through the invitation of Kenya’s ambassador to Tanzania, Mr Mutinda Mutiso, and Bishop Martin Kivuva Musonde who led the ceremony at the Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral.

Mrs Mutula arrived at the cathedral in the presence of Cabinet Secretary and former Narc leader Mrs Charity Ngilu and five of her close associates, former assistant ministers Wavinya Ndeti, Agnes Ndetei, former MP Grace Mwewa and politicians Seth Kakusy and Rose Malinda.

It was Mrs Ngilu who introduced Mrs Mutula. A few moments later, Nduku made her surprise announcement.

Her presence in the company of leaders associated with the ruling Jubilee coalition prompted journalists to corner her for an interview after the service.

Question: Rumours have it that you are in the race for the Makueni seat. Are you?

Mrs Mutula: Yes I am in the race.

Question: Your step-daughter is also said to be in the race?

Mrs Mutula: Kethi (Kilonzo) is not standing.

Question: On which party will you be presenting your candidature?

Mrs Mutula: Mmmmh …this is a church compound and the wrong place to talk politics. I will announce soon.

It was this pronouncement that exposed the high intrigues in the late senator’s family.

A day after she made the announcement, Kethi Kilonzo broke her silence on Twitter.

“Today is a dark day. May the people of Makueni and all who have stood with me one day find it in their heart to forgive me,” Kethi wrote on her Twitter account. “A child does not compete with the mother. It is a curse. I will not support Jubilee. To stand with my father’s enemies is a worse curse.”

The Nation has since confirmed the authenticity of the tweets with Kethi. Her confirmation led critics to suggest there were divisions in the family.

Nduku’s elder brother, Mr Chris Musau, was not amused by the turn of events.

“I told them to stop the madness and steer out of politics,” Mr Musau told the Nation on Friday.

He wondered why the two would opt to rush into politics while there is huge wealth and property to watch over. He said they had agreed to keep off politics.

“As a family, we have told them to move on. The expansive Maanzoni Ranch, for instance, needs a lot of attention,” said Mr Musau.

“Nduku’s announcement stunned us, it was the most unexpected news,” said Mutula’s uncle, Mr Patrick Muthembwa, in a telephone conversation with the Nation.

Mr Musau, although he is President Kenyatta’s long time friend, said he will not be rooting for any candidate.

“If anything, I am against the two joining politics, and they have given me their assurances to that effect,” Mr Musau said.

One school of thought being peddled in Makueni is that Jubilee, after realising that Kethi was angling towards Cord which they were plotting to trounce in the race, brought her step-mother to balance the equation.

“The idea was to push Kethi out of the way and then create a vacuum in Cord. This was realised after Kethi opted out saying it was taboo for a daughter to battle with her mother,” said Mr Francis Mulwa, a resident of Kikima in Mbooni.

Mbooni MP Michael Kisoi Munyao claimed there were people out to divide Mutula’s family.

“They want to destroy the family by pitting family members against each other,” he said.

Mutula’s long-serving aide, Mr Peter Mwanthi, shared similar sentiments. “Mutula was forced into politics. He kept saying the legal profession made him, but politics destroyed him,” said Mr Mwanthi, a former civic leader in Makueni County.

But the withdrawal of the two from the race has thrown the race wide open, forcing Cord and Jubilee coalitions back to the drawing boards as the July 22 by-election date approaches.

The Labour Party of Kenya candidate, US trained nurse Mrs Jane Kitundu, has started campaigning. Author David Maillu has also launched his bid on a Kanu ticket.

Cord has to choose between a former Kenya National Union of Teachers treasurer Benson Kithuku, former PC Wilfred Ndolo and retired Lt-Gen Jones Mutwii. Mr Mutwii contested but lost the Makueni governor’s seat to Prof Kivutha Kibwana.