Muthama declares self Kamba kingpin to ‘save’ community
Mutuku Mwangangi
Former Machakos senator Johnstone Muthama has declared himself the Kamba kingpin and vowed to save the community from the “embarrassing and cowardly” two-decade leadership of Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
He accused the former Vice President, who was crowned Kamba leader after the death of former Kanu supremo Mulu Mutisya, of making the community a laughing stock because of his alleged visionless and selfish leadership.
Muthama was reacting to Kalonzo’s declaration that he had switched camps and will follow President Uhuru Kenyatta’s political stewardship as the 2022 presidential race gathers momentum.
“I have made a resolution that I and the Kamba community are not flip-flopping and where Uhuru will be even after 2022, we will be there,” said the former Vice President.
Engage leaders
Kalonzo, who was addressing a leaders’ meeting at his Yatta farm in Machakos county on Monday added: “We are now engaging everybody as a free gear. But our true direction is to support Uhuru.
I have not spoken to Raila (Odinga) of late but I know his support for Uhuru until he finishes his term has not changed.”
But a furious Muthama, who was conspicuously missing at the Yatta meeting, dismissed Kalonzo’s sentiments as personal and not that of the Kamba community.
“I will lead the community from today going forward, the community cannot be led by a coward,” said the former senator.
Speaking at Light Christian Centre in Machakos where he attended a Christmas church service, Muthama asked how a man he has “built politically” would utter such words in front of his supporters, adding that Kalonzo’s stand was the biggest political blunder.
“It is unfortunate for a person I have built to become a president of Kenya to exhibit such a character and argument.
That is a big No! We have over five million people in our community who don’t have to be led blindly,”he said.
Muthama said he will convene strategy meetings with the region’s rich brains to chart a political direction for the community.
“There is no development we can credit Uhuru’s government for in Ukambani; Thwake and Konza mega projects have stalled... why would Kalonzo behave so politically?” posed Muthama.
But the Wiper party yesterday told off the former senator, with the party’s secretary and former Eala MP Peter Mathuki, saying: “I want to tell Muthama if he cannot toe the party line, let him quit.”
Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua and Kathiani MP Robert Mbui maintained that Kamba community will not play second fiddle to anyone come 2022.
He revealed that the party would undertake a series of engagements with other like-minded people across the country to form a formidable force even as 2022 presidential campaigns gain momentum.
Mbui, who is the party organising secretary, said they would engage other leaders from the region including Machakos Governor Dr Alfred Mutua to find a working formula to avert further political divisions which would disadvantage bargains of the community.
Muthama replacement
In Yatta on Monday, Kalonzo lined up a wealthy businessman, Peter Muthoka, who is a close ally of Uhuru as a newly-found friend. Muthoka, who oiled Jubilee campaigns in the region in 2017, seems to be Muthama’s replacement .
Earlier this month, Kalonzo was forced to issue a statement, refuting allegations that he was in talks with Deputy President William Ruto on the possibility of forming an alliance before 2022.
The allegations had been fuelled by Muthama, who said he was ready to mediate a working formula between Kalonzo and Ruto.
