Mutua told to respect other leaders as youths disrupt Kalonzo rally in Makueni

The government is using Machakos Governor to split the Kamba community, Opposition leaders now claim.

Speaking in a series of rallies in Makueni County, the Opposition politicians led by Wiper Democratic Party leader Mr Kalonzo Musyoka, claimed the Jubilee administration was ‘planting Dr Alfred Mutua to dis-unite the Kamba community.’

“We are not here to fight anyone. Instead, we have come to say that the Kamba community should not be divided,” said Mr Musyoka.

He said he was not in the same level of competition with Dr Mutua insisting that his is a higher league.

“I am only competing to send Uhuru Kenyatta home in 2017,” said Mr Musyoka, to the applause of the audience at Emali Town.

His sentiments came shortly after youths wielding "Maendeleo Chap Chap" banners attacked and disrupted a rally that he was to address in Kasikeu, Makueni County.

The rowdy group attacked people who had gathered for the meeting with whips and catapults.

They also dismantled tents and carted away plastic seats.

Political leaders, including Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jr, fled the venue.

When given audience by Governor Kivutha Kibwana, the youth said they are opposed to Mr Musyoka and Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama.

KALONZO KEEPS OFF

Unconfirmed reports indicated that the youths were protesting the mistreatment their MP Regina Ndambuki received from some Wiper supporters during the party’s retreat at Maanzoni last week.

Ms Ndambuki was criticised for supporting the "Maendeleo Chap Chap" drive that was recently launched by Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua "to deliver Ukambani people from shackles of poverty".

Mr Musyoka, who had not arrived at the troubled venue, changed plans and proceeded to a meeting in Emali Town.

Mr Musyoka, a former vice-president, and Mr Mutua, a former government spokesman, are locked in a bruising battle for the control of the Ukambani vote bloc.

On the alleged advances of the ruling coalition in the region, Mr Musyoka said that such overtures are in futility.

“You cannot divide a community that is united,” he said, adding that the Kamba community is united in values “that cannot be sold out cheaply.”

The Kalonzo rallies are seen as efforts by the Cord co-principal to counter recent rallies by the Machakos governor in he region.

SHALL NOT BE COWED

Despite the disruption, the politicians pressed on with the rallies at the other venues in Emali and Wote townships.

“They can pelt us with stones, they can go for their whips, but we shall not be cowed,” said Mr Musyoka in Emali Town.

Prof Kibwana, in Emali and Wote, praised Mr Musyoka as a leader of integrity and a peacemaker.

“He is our leader who we have delegated to traverse the country without fear and look for votes,” he said.

He announced that his Muungano Party “will sit with Wiper and talk to be one thing.”

Makueni County deputy governor Ms Adelina Mwau said that Dr Mutua should respect his fellow leaders.

Leaders in the entourage, among them embattled Machakos County Deputy Governor Mr Bernard Kiala and Senator Muthama criticised Dr Mutua for “being used by the Jubilee administration to divide the Kamba vote.”

Siaya Senator Mr James Orengo termed Mr Kalonzo as “a leader recognised throughout the country and beyond” sentiments that were shared by his Makueni counterpart Mr Mutula Kilonzo Junior and Mombasa’s Hassan Omar Hassan.

RAILA SUPPORT

Other leaders in attendance included Ms Jessica Mbalu (MP, Kibwezi East), Patrick Makau (MP, Mavoko), Mutua Muluvi, (MP, Kitui East), Daniel Maanzo (MP, Makueni), and Ms Rose Museo ( Makueni Woman representative), among others.

The Wiper leader criticized those faulting his development track-record for the decades he was in government.

“For the 28 years I have served, I did not head a county. But I have created a springboard that governors and other politicians have used in their ascendancy,” he said.

“Isn’t that an achievement?” he posed to the positive acclamation of the audience.

Prof Kibwana urged ODM leader Mr Raila Odinga to support Mr Kalonzo as the Cord flag-bearer in the 2017 presidential polls.