Ngilu under fire for supporting Musila’s governor bid
Outgoing Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu has stired a storm following her decision to support former Senator David Musila for the county’s gubernatorial seat.
Ngilu’s move has drawn the ire of Kitui professionals, who accuse her of undermining Wiper candidate and former Governor Julius Malombe.
Yesterday, the professionals, led by their coordinator Michael Kivoto, said they were concerned by Ngilu’s decision to support Musila, asking her to stop “meddling” in the county’s politics.
In a statement read on their behalf by Kivoto at the weekend, the professionals noted that during Azimio-One Kenya presidential candidate Raila Odinga’s last tour of the county last month, he was emphatic that the coalition would back Malombe for the seat, a position Ngilu was now contradicting.
“Raila told us publicly that he had removed Ngilu from county politics and endorsed Malombe. Why is she now undermining Raila’s position by campaigning for Musila?” Kivoto posed.
He warned Ngilu against causing confusion by sponsoring Musila’s campaigns.
“Raila must call Ngilu to order because what she is doing is to undermine Kalonzo and Raila’s position on Kitui governor race. She must not be allowed to cause confusion in the county,” Kivoto added.
Extend leadership
They rubbished the alliance between Ngilu and Musila, saying it is meant to deny the people of Kitui a chance to elect their favourite governor. They also said it was clear that Ngilu wanted to extend her leadership through proxy by installing a weak candidate who will protect her.
They said this might disadvantage residents, since Ngilu might want to recover her resources invested in Musila’s campaigns.
While on a campaign trail in Kitui, Machakos and Makueni counties last week, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka appealed to the electorate to elect only Wiper candidates, saying this will give him bargaining power for his post.
“Come out and give our party numbers,” Kalonzo said at a rally in Matinyani, Kitui West.
