They have not been in good terms ever since they were elected in 2013, despite being in the same political party and serving Machakos County residents.
Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama and his Governor Alfred Mutua have engaged in war of words on several occasions, in public functions, with the Senator accusing the governor of corruption and the governor describing Muthama as one who is not development minded.
In an unprecedented scathing attack against Governor Mutua, the outspoken senator has said that the former government spokesman is a liar, corrupt and not fit to hold public office.
“He has stolen county funds and is incompetent. He is not supposed to hold the position of a governor,” Muthama claimed during an interview on Citizen TV, Sunday evening.
Muthama said he has no personal differences with Mutua, and his battle with the governor is not about supremacy in Ukambani region.
“I execute my duties as Machakos senator. My work is to source for funds for the county government, but the governor has misused the funds,” he said.
Muthama added that he was aware Governor Mutua could not be a good leader when he was government spokesman.
“I knew Mutua when he was government spokesman, and I was aware he would not be a good leader. He has manifested this to Kenyans that he can’t be a good leader. He has not fulfilled his campaign promises. A good leader doesn’t lie,” he said
The senator said he will be defending his current seat come 2017 polls, unless his constituents ask him to seek another post.
A survey conducted two weeks ago by Trends and Insights for showed that Governor Mutua has 81 per cent support compared to Senator Muthama's 8 per cent.
Governor Mutua has been working closely with President Uhuru Kenyatta, and has publicly declared he will not seek re-election on a Wiper Democratic Movement ticket come 2017.