Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu has rubbished claims that she is against Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka's 2022 presidential bid.
For several weeks now, governors Ngilu, Kivutha Kibwana (Makueni) and Alfred Mutua (Machakos) have been under criticism for attacking and demeaning Kalonzo.
The governors' move to form the Peoples Empowerment Movement (PEM) has equally fueled speculations that they are fighting Kalonzo.
The three governors accuse the former Vice President of having done little to help the region when he served in government.
The trio snubbed Kalonzo's 'goat eating' meeting in Yatta Sub-county recently despite receiving his official invitations.
The governors also skipped Kalonzo's meeting in Matungulu as speculation of him facing a rebellion in Ukambani region continues.
Kalonzo has since hit out at the governors for branding him a development failure.
He says he never received or controlled billions during his reign as a Vice President.
On Saturday, Ngilu shared a podium with Kalonzo during the funeral of the late Francis Maliti Mwewa, husband to Grace Mwewa, former nominated MP.
Ngilu took the chance to deny claims that she is fighting Kalonzo.
The Kitui governor advised Kalonzo to be wary of people close to him who she claimed cannot be trusted.
She said she supports Kalonzo's 2022 presidential bid, but noted that he needs to rally locals to register as voters.
Ngilu promised to lobby President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga to support Kalonzo.
Political pundit Peter Ngure argues that Ngilu's 'about-turn' is politically calculated.
He observes that Ngilu could have sensed the danger of rebelling against Kalonzo.
"Politics is a game of minds and Ngilu could have realized the implications of rebelling against Kalonzo," Ngure said.
The analyst noted that Ngilu badly needs Kalonzo as she serves her first term in office.
Ngilu is embroiled in a tussle with MCAs over a supplementary budget.
The MCAs have refused to approve the budget accusing her of presiding over a corrupt government.
Ngilu has, however, rubbished the corruption allegations, accusing the MCAs of fighting her politically.
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