News

How supremacy wars cost Kalonzo’s party by-election

Monday, October 18th, 2021 06:00 | By
Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jr PHOTO/File
Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jr PHOTO/File

Supremacy wars between three candidates eyeing the Makueni governor seat may have cost Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper party the Nguu/Masumba ward by-election and exposed its soft underbelly in Ukambani. 

The loss has been the subject of blame game, with Kalonzo’s opponents claiming he had lost the grip of his backyard.

Politicians fighting for the governor seat, including Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jr, Woman Rep Rose Museo and former Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) chair Philip Kaloki fielded different candidates to test their strength even as they tried to catch the eye of the party leader.

Observers blamed the loss on poor coordination of the party in a campaign that was led by Kaiti MP Joshua Kimilu.

There was also the element of rivalry between Kalonzo and Governor Kivutha Kibwana who supported the independent candidate who won the ward seat.

Wiper’s candidate got with 1,614 votes, United Democratic Movement with 2,219 while the winner, Timothy Maneno, carried the day with 2,902 votes.

Makueni MP Daniel Maanzo says the rain started beating the party when nominations were allegedly interfered with to favour Eshio Mwaiwa.

Political brokers

He claims Kaloki and Nominated MCA Albanus Wambua, alias Councillor Kana, mislead the party to handpick a political greenhorn.

“We have political power brokers in our party in the likes of Councillor Kana and Kaloki who fronted a very weak candidate,” said Maanzo.

Accusing the party of not doing adequate homework, Mutula Jr said: “Wiper has taken it for granted that Makueni is its stronghold and it is true the candidates have lost confidence in our nomination exercise because the party honchos are keen on handpicking the candidates.”

Responding to Wiper’s loss, Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua asked Kalonzo to retire from politics.

“The Ukambani region has been under the so-called leadership of Kalonzo for 36 years and truth be told, the region has only become poorer because he is not a person whose politics leads us towards development. He has been concentrating on amassing power for himself,” said Mutua.

Besides the governor aspirants, Kibwana, Kalonzo and Deputy President  William Ruto used the by-election to advance their presidential bids. 

When he recently toured the ward in the company of One Kenya Alliance principals, Kalonzo pleaded with the electorate to elect the Wiper candidate, saying it would increase his chances of flying the coalition’s presidential flag in next year’s election.

UDA chair Johnstone Muthama said the outcome of the by-election confirmed the people were ready for change. 

“The old parties have never had an agenda that attracted the voters. Wiper is one of the parties that have been surviving on empty talk,” he said.

Muthama said the by-election result was a rejection of the Wiper party.  “The people ignored the quest for Kalonzo who went campaigning with a very big OKA team.”

Kibwana also said the people had expressed their desire for change.

“The people exercised their democratic right by electing own representative despite campaigns by some big parties.

This election may seem small but it means a lot politically. This election will change both the regional and national political landscape,” said Kibwana.

Machakos County Chief of Staff Mwengi Mutuse called on the three Ukambani governors to unite and chart a political way forward in the 2022 election. 

“I want to urge governors Alfred Mutua, Kibwana and Charity Ngilu to do politics that can liberate our people from poverty,” said Mutuse.

Chama Cha Uzalendo secretary general Philippe Sadja said the by-election had confirmed Kalonzo’s influence had faded in Ukambani.

He said the influence of three sitting governors cannot be ignored and that they can influence the succession politics.

“To come third in the just concluded by-election has really confirmed the fading of Kalonzo’s political influence in deciding who can take what... this is also a warning to all political parties which don’t hold free and fair party primaries. The people will not just vote for parties blindly, they will go for the leader they believe in,” said Sadja.

More on News


ADVERTISEMENT

RECOMMENDED STORIES News


ADVERTISEMENT