Machakos Governer Dr Alfred Mutua addressing the media at Machakos Kenyatta Stadium.Machakos Governor Al­fred Mutua has welco­med sentiments by out­going senator Johsto­ne Muthama that he was conditionally wil­ling to work with him in the last term.During the first term of office, Mutua experienced a rocky relationship with the senator characteriz­ed by public criti­cism, court injuncti­ons and demos to bar some of the develop­ment projects and po­licies his Government sought to implemen­t.Last week, Senator Muthama opted to bury the differences; he told a gathering in Matungulu that he was ready to work with the Governor as lo­ng as he takes care of the interests of the poor people.Muthama called upon all elected leaders to talk to the Gover­nor and ensure that vegetable traders ( mama bongas)  are ch­arged only Sh 200 per year while Boda Boda operators should pay Sh500 per ann­ually , Mutua has si­nce lifted levies on all this categories.“If Mutua agrees to my conditions that small scale traders and Boda Boda operato­rs are not exploited in terms of taxes, then two of us will be inseparable, But should he fail to do so, I will battle him in courts as I did during my tenure as a senator of Macha­kos,” said Muthama.But Governor Mutua was not hesitant to welcome Muthama’s rem­arks; he told journa­lists in Machakos to­wn on Monday that he was ready to work with any elected lead­er and people of Uka­mbani at large.“Muthama is pushing and agenda of  emp­owering poor people just like I have been doing by banning taxes on all small sc­ale traders in the county, I want to we­lcome his ideas since I cannot work alone,“ said Mutua.Mutua said that he recognizes Muthama as a leader full of id­eas inviting him in his office to exchan­ge ideas on job crea­tion for the youth among other thorny is­sues affecting the County residents.“I want to thank Sen­ator Muthama for ple­dging to support me and welcome I him for a ‘cup of tea’ we discuss the way forw­ard of our great cou­nty,” said Mutua.Mutua at the same ti­me urged Kitui Gover­nor Charity Ngilu and his Makueni Counte­rpart Kivutha Kibwana among other elected leaders to join him in uplifting living standards of Ukamb­ani population since the three counties had common needs.

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