Former Machakos Deputy Governor Benard Kiala was among vocal leaders in Machakos County in the first five years of devolution.
In the last regime, he and incumbent Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua differed a lot and grew apart even before the term ended.
Kiala contested for the Machakos Governor's seat as an independent candidate but stepped down a few days to August 8, 2017 elections.
He had promised Machakos residents that they would benefit from devolution under his tenure. He began a movement dubbed 'ugatuzi na Kiala' meant to offer civic education to residents on matters to do with devolution.
Kiala, a close ally of ex-Machakos Senator Johnston Muthama, fell out with his former boss Governor Mutua in late 2014.
He criticised his leadership citing that it is dogged by corruption.
After stepping down in 2017, Kiala has kept a low profile and Machakos residents are in the dark as to where he could be.
Sources say he might contest for the governorship again in 2022 or even deputise Muthama who has gone public about his ambition to succeed Mutua.
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