Ouster of Ngilu to shift alliances in Ukambani

What you need to know:

  • Mrs Ngilu, who has not seen eye to eye with Mr Kalonzo since she first ran for the presidency in 1997, now finds herself with little to leverage on to counter him.

  • Ms Ngilu and Wiper leader Mr Musyoka have straddled the regions politics for close to two decades and for the first time they find themselves in the same corner.

  • Leaders told Sunday Nation that although Cleophas Mailu, who has worked closely with Mr Kalonzo, was nominated Cabinet Secretary for Health, he was picked based on his professionalism.

  • Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jr says the ejection of Mrs Ngilu, Mr Mumo Matemu (EACC) and Mrs Grace Kaindi from the Police Service is an indication that Jubilee fortunes have declined substantially in the region.

The ouster of former Land CS Charity Ngilu is likely to mark new battle lines and shifting of alliances in the lower Eastern region as the country readies for the 2017 elections.

The emergence of Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua’s Maendeleo chap chap ideology, the strength of Cord co-principal Kalonzo Musyoka and now the inevitable decision of Ngilu’s political future shifts focus on the direction that Kitui, Machakos and Makueni counties will take in coming months.

Though opinion is divided on whether to work with Cord or Jubilee, what is emerging is that the region must be part of the next government.

Mrs Ngilu, who has not seen eye to eye with Mr Kalonzo since she first ran for the presidency in 1997, now finds herself with little to leverage on to counter him.

Ms Ngilu and Wiper leader Mr Musyoka have straddled the regions politics for close to two decades and for the first time they find themselves in the same corner.

MAILU'S NOMINATION TO CABINET

Leaders told Sunday Nation that although Cleophas Mailu, who has worked closely with Mr Kalonzo, was nominated Cabinet Secretary for Health, he was picked based on his professionalism.

Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jr says the ejection of Mrs Ngilu, Mr Mumo Matemu (EACC) and Mrs Grace Kaindi from the Police Service is an indication that Jubilee fortunes have declined substantially in the region.

“Her unceremonious sacking leaves her to fight in the cold without any incentive.  She now has to elect to remain in Jubilee where she was a principal, join the Opposition or remain aloof like Kanu has done,” he said.