Inside Politics

Governor Mutua dismisses reports of Raila gatecrashing Uhuru’s Ukambani tour, says he was invited

Monday, July 12th, 2021 17:19 | By
Governor Mutua defends Raila's presence in Uhuru's Ukambani tour. PHOTO: Courtesy

Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua has dismissed reports indicating that the ODM leader Raila Odinga tagged himself along President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Ukambani tour.

Speaking on Tuesday morning to a local radio station, the Machakos County boss said the ODM leader was invited by the South Eastern Kenya Economic Bloc (SEKEB).

SEKEB brings together Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana, Kitui’s Charity Ngilu and Governor Mutua.

Governor Mutua said they invited Raila because he is a high-profile leader who can market the region’s development quest to the rest of the country.

“We invited Raila to President Uhuru’s tour as SEKEB. We wanted him to see how Ukambani is developed and because he has a huge following, many people will learn of good things about us as a region in terms of development,” he said.

At the same time, the second term Governor took a swipe at some Wiper leaders for scolding the ODM leader for visiting the region together with the President.

He said the leaders were speaking on behalf of Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka who was seemingly relegated during the visit.

According to Governor Mutua, Kalonzo allies wanted to turn the President’s visit into a political tour for selfish reasons at the expense of the suffering residents who want development.

“They are attacking Raila because he is development-oriented. They only wanted to score political points during the tour. They don’t think about development,” Governor Mutua said.

The second-term governor added that every leader is welcomed in the Ukambani region as long as his or her visit is aimed at bettering the lives of locals.

He told off Kitui Senator Enock Wambua, for urging Raila not to visit the region again in the event the president tours the area in future, saying his remarks are unpalatable.

“I want everybody to come, let Raila come, let Ruto come; all leaders should come because all we want is development,” he stated.

Governor Mutua’s remarks come hot on the heels of accusations directed at Raila for accompanying the President in Ukambani.

A section of leaders allied to Kalonzo felt their leader was undermined in his region during the visit.

Kitui Senator said the ODM leader should not have visited the region perhaps hinting that visit was purely an affair of the region’s leaders.

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