Disquiet in Wiper as party awaits Governor Mutua’s fate at top court
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka (right) and Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua last week in Karen, Nairobi, during Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana’s son wedding. PHOTO | COURTESY
What you need to know:
- Ms Ndeti is hoping for a faster determination of the case and has urged her supporters to brace for another contest.
- Last week, Dr Mutua reached out to his former party boss in the spirit of reconciliation saying they had agreed to meet “for a cup of tea”.
Residents of Machakos County will have to wait longer for the outcome of the appeal case on the election of Governor Alfred Mutua after the Supreme Court proceeded on a 45 days vacation.
Judges at the top court started the annual vacation from August 1 and will resume on September 14, according to a Gazette Notice No. 7645, issued by Chief Justice David Maraga on July 6.
“The August vacation of the Supreme Court shall commence on Wednesday, August 1 and terminate on Friday, September, 14 both days inclusive. A judge will be available during the vacation to deal with matters that are urgent or require prompt attention,” reads the notice.
FINAL OUTCOME
But as the county awaits the final outcome of the dispute, the political dynamics are fast-shifting with each camp weighing the possible scenarios and what they portend for them.
Initially, Ms Wavinya Ndeti saw the nullification of Dr Mutua’s win as her best chance to prove that her victory was stolen but recent happenings in the Wiper Party suggest a house divided by her candidacy, with former Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama openly rejecting her bid.
Mr Muthama has demanded that the Wiper ticket for the seat, which features Ms Ndeti as the candidate and former Eala MP Peter Mathuki as her running mate changed, to avoid a third loss for the party.
BREAK RANKS
He has threatened to break ranks with the party if it insists on fielding Ms Ndeti to face Dr Mutua arguing, “He’ll come in to find a solution for Machakos people if the lineup is not set up properly”
The party led by Mr Kalonzo Musyoka is in a tricky position because the basis for the anticipated election will be Ms Ndeti contesting the results of last year’s election and cannot, therefore, pick another candidate.
It must calm down Mr Muthama – a major political voice in Machakos, who believes it would be pointless to retain the same ticket and expect different results.
However, even after the court resumes business mid next month, the petition lodged by Governor Mutua against the nullification of his election by the appellate court will only be heard as from October because the court’s dairy is full.
FRESH HEARING
The appeal is not among the matters listed for hearing by the court until September 21 in the case list published by the National Council for Law Reporting, meaning fresh hearing dates will have to be fixed.
Governor Mutua, who obtained stay orders against the execution of the Court of Appeal ruling that ordered a repeat election, will thus remain in office as the matter drags on.
On the other hand, his long time political rival Ms Ndeti, a former MP for Kathiani who successfully petitioned his re-election, is hoping for a faster determination of the case and has urged her supporters to brace for another contest. The two, who have been the main candidates for the Machakos gubernatorial seat in last two general elections – 2013 and 2017, are busy preparing for the possible eventuality of facing each other again on the ballot for the third time.
The fresh disagreement in Wiper Party is, however, music to the ears of Governor Mutua because if Mr Muthama makes good his threat, he’ll be acting as the perfect spoiler and almost guarantee him an easy win, in the event of a by-election.
RECONCILIATION
Last week, Dr Mutua reached out to his former party boss in the spirit of reconciliation saying they had agreed to meet “for a cup of tea”.
The governor, who heads the Maendeleo Chap Chap party, posted several pictures of him dancing and chatting happily with Mr Musyoka on his Facebook page claiming they enjoyed moments of laughter as they discussed life.
“It was great to reconnect with H. E. Kalonzo Musyoka. We enjoyed moments of laughter as we discussed life and agreed to call each other this coming week to find time to share a cup of tea” Dr Mutua said.
However, Mr Musyoka’s camp quickly dismissed the suggestion as an attempt by Dr Mutua to spin details of the meeting to intimidate his rivals.
Mr Mathuki downplayed the meeting saying people should not read anything political in the “mere bumping into each other” of the two leaders.
ELEVATE WIPER
Dr Mutua and Mr Musyoka met at Karen Community Church in Nairobi where they had attended the wedding of Mr Robert Kibwana, the son of Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana last weekend.
The stakes are high since it would be a huge embarrassment for Mr Musyoka if Wiper party doesn’t wrestle the Machakos governorship from Dr Mutua.
A win for Ms Ndeti, which could make her the fourth woman governor will not only be seen as Mr Musyoka consolidating his grip in the region but will also elevate Wiper to the league of political parties that qualify for state funding.
