Loaded agenda list as Kalonzo seeks to put his house in order

Wiper boss Kalonzo Musyoka is expected to set his party’s agenda for this year when he hosts political leaders and professionals from Ukambani at his Yatta Farm in Machakos on Saturday.

Mr Musyoka is expected to brief the leaders about his plan for a possible second stab at the presidency in 2017.

The issue of wrangles that are threatening performance of county governments in the region is also on the agenda.

All leaders elected on Wiper Party ticket — governors, senators, MPs and members of county assembly — have been invited to the meeting.

Some leaders don’t see eye-to-eye and it will therefore be interesting to see how events will unfold at the meeting.

Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua who has been at loggerheads with area Senator Johnson Muthama confirmed to Nation on Friday that he will attend the meeting.

“I hope the meeting will dwell on development in Ukambani and not personalities,” Dr Mutua said.

MUTUA VS MUTHAMA

The governor said he had no problem sitting in the same meeting with Mr Muthama who has been considered one of Mr Musyoka’s key allies.

“Working with Senator Muthama is not an issue because what is important is service delivery to the people,” he added.

Mr Muthama has repeatedly sworn never to work with Dr Mutua. This week, while attending a meeting in Mavoko Constituency, Mr Muthama called for the impeachment of Dr Mutua.

He has asked MCAs to impeach the governor and replace him with his deputy Bernard Kiala.

Mr Kiala also confirmed he will attend the meeting

Kitui Central MP Makali Mulu said the former Vice President will host the leaders for a belated new year luncheon expected to provide a platform for him ‘to put his house in order’.

“This is the first step as he (Kalonzo) begins to reactivate his support base in Ukambani and other regions across the country,” Mr Mulu said.

“It will be a get together for the Wiper family to discuss our issues and the way forward for the party.”

The MP hinted that the party will also be seeking to strengthen its secretariat by proposing youthful leadership to assist chairman David Musila who is also the senator of Kitui. Mr Musila has since announced he will quit elective politics ahead of the 2017 General Election.

TRUSTED ALLIES

Mr Musila and Kitui Woman Representative Nyiva Mwendwa who are among Mr Musyoka’s trusted allies are widely expected not to defend their seats in 2017 triggering a push to entrust the party to youthful leadership.

Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana who belongs to Muungano Party, an affiliate of Cord, has been invited as a senior leader in the region and a friend of Wiper Party.

Prof Kibwana is pushing for the dissolution of his government citing irreconcilable differences with the County Assembly.

The electoral body is currently verifying signatures collected from residents in the bid to dissolve the county. A memorandum has already been presented to the President in this regard.

Wiper is a member of the opposition Cord coalition.