NASA presidential running mate Kalonzo Musyoka. Ukambani leaders have told him they are tired of playing second fiddle to other communities. [Photo: zipo.co.ke]
A section of leaders from Ukambani is claiming that Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has left them frustrated after failing become NASA's flagbearer.
They say the Kamba nation is tired of playing second fiddle to other communities and a time has come to trust someone else who can take the community to the promised land.
They say that person is none other but Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua who is also the Maendeleo Chap Chap party leader.
“We as a community are tired of occupying position two in the leadership pecking order in previous governments. Mutua is our best bet for the presidency come 2022,” said former Machakos mayor, Timothy Kilonzo.
Meeting on Saturday at Machakos People's Park, the leaders drawn from Machakos, Makueni, Kitui, Kwale and Taita Taveta counties endorsed Mutua to run for President in the 2022 general elections.
Kalonzo has for the past three decades been regarded as the region's political kingpin, but his fortunes now seem to be dwindling.
This is after the elders overlooked him and handed the mantle of community spokesperson to the young Mutua.
After finishing a distant third in the disputed 2007 elections, Kalonzo joined former President Mwai Kibaki who appointed him Vice President.
In 2013 polls, he was CORD leader Raila Odinga's running mate but the two were defeated by the incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto.
In the forthcoming August 8 general elections, Kalonzo, again, will be Raila's deputy, now this time, under the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition.
Mutua’s development record in the last four years as the Machakos governor has made many from the region to see a future in the former government spokesman.
An elder, Mzee Mailu from Makueni said Mutua was capable of taking over when President Uhuru Kenyatta’s term ends in 2022.
“The community has no other better-placed leader to seek the top seat other than Mutua,” said Mailu in a meeting attended by over 23,000 leaders.