The Jubilee government is slowly securing the Ukambani vote, as from 2013 the president has toured Machakos County and the entire Ukambani region for more than twelve times with the deputy visiting about six times.
Since Friday, the president was camping in the region to initiate development projects. He commissioned the Tala -OlDonyo Sabuk-Kilimambogo road, the Masinga water project and rehabilitation of the Yatta canal.
Yesterday in Kitui County, he inspected the progress of the construction of Nuu technical training and vocational college.
The Wiper party has downplayed the visits as politically irrelevant. David Brin once said, “The worst mistake made throughout history by individuals has been the unfortunate habit of making assumptions. It’s often proved fatal.’’
In the 2013 general elections, Uhuru Kenyatta got 35,660 votes in Machakos, 40,572 votes in Kitui County and 12,652 votes in Makueni against Raila 319,594 votes in Machakos, 219,594 votes in Kitui and 228,843 votes in Makueni county.
At this time, Ukambani was purely a Cord backyard and with the emergence of movements such as the Maendeleo Chap Chap in the region and enticing of the people by the government, wiper party must take caution because their stronghold is under siege.
They should instead venture into the government strongholds or expand their support base beyond the three Ukambani Counties.