Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu has made a U-turn on her stand regarding Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka's presidential ambitions.
Ngilu, together with her fellow Ukambani governors Kivutha Kibwana (Makueni) and Alfred Mutua (Machakos) have been staging a rebellion against the former Vice President in the region he has enjoyed unchallenged dominance for about three decades.
They accuse him of failing to initiate meaningful development projects in Ukambani despite being in powerful and influential positions.
The three were conspicuously missing on Friday when Kalonzo held a high profile meeting at Matungulu, Machakos County, which has been dubbed 'Komarock 2 declaration'.
But on Saturday Ngilu met the Wiper boss during a funeral service in Makueni where she pledged to help him rise to power but only if succeeds in consolidating his support base.
The NARC party leader noted Ukambani was trailing other regions in terms of the number of registered voters and asked the ex-VP to launch a spirited campaign to ensure more are registered.
She promised to approach and convince President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga back Kalonzo for the top seat in the next general.
"For now let’s not lie to Kalonzo. We don’t have numbers. When we will have the numbers I will hold his hand and take him to Uhuru and Raila. But for now, up your game," said Ngilu.
She spoke during the burial of Francis Maliti Mwewa at Makindu in Kibwezi West Constituency.
The deceased was husband to former nominated Member of Parliament Grace Mwewa.
"Mama Grace, we stand with you at this sombre and sorrowful hour as you bid farewell to your better half," the Governor mourned.