Deputy Governor Bernard Kiala is set to launch his bid to unseat his boss, Dr Alfred Mutua as the next governor of Machakos County when elections are called next year.
This writer has authoritatively established that Kiala, who last year fell out with Mutua, will this Saturday host a huge gathering of his supporters and other guests at his home turf Mukusu, Masinga sub-county.
In an exclusive interview, Kiala said the event dubbed ‘launch of Ugatuzi na Kiala’ (Kiala for devolution) will mark the beginning of extensive civil education throughout the county in order to educate voters about the responsibility of devolved government.
It is believed that Kiala, who has already sent out invitation cards to the event, intends to use the forum to officially declare his interest for the Machakos gubernatorial seat currently held by Dr Mutua.
“Unless people are correctly and adequately informed about the role of devolved government, they will be least likely to challenge any form of bad leadership and that is what we want to achieve in the long run,” Kiala said in a telephone interview.
Also eyeing Dr Mutua’s current job is former Kathiani MP Wavinya Ndeti, who is also the Chama Cha Uzalendo (CCU) party leader.
In the last general election, Mutua beat Wavinya and several other aspirants including former CBK deputy governor Thomas Kibua, and IT specialist Titus Ndundu to clinch the gubernatorial seat on a Wiper party ticket.
However, it will be interesting this time round to watch how the contest goes, especially after Dr Mutua’s launch of Maendeleo Chap Chap and unity movement as his likely political vessel for his next stab to governorship.