Chama Cha Uzalendo leadership has rubbished claims that the party will be joining Maendeleo Chap Chap Movement with its leader Wavinya Ndeti as Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua’s running mate in the 2017 polls.
Ndeti, Secretary General Philippe Sadjah and organizing secretary Davis Musau addressed the press in Athi River town on Sunday.
The trio said the party is independent and ready to battle it out alone to ensure its candidates in various positions win in the elections with the party leader becoming the next governor of Machakos county.
“CCU is independent and we have not been approached by any political party to form a coalition, we will form our people when we do so. We are making it clear today that we can neither join Maendeleo Chap Chap Movement nor work with Governor Mutua because we do not want to be part of his Afrosinema,” said Ndeti.
Ndeti said they are open and willing to work with Wiper but not any party or movement associated or affiliated to Jubilee coalition like Maendeleo Chap Chap so long as the agreement between the two parties is done in a well structured manner for mutual respect.
She said working together with Wiper will ensure unity among residents of Machakos county as opposed to the current situation.
Ndeti said those propelling propaganda that CCU will soon merge with Maendeleo Chap Chap Movement are pro-Mutua and his machinery to see him back to office.
“You cannot fight me with propaganda, anybody against Wavinya is Pro Mutua and trying to return him back to office indirectly,” said Ndeti.
Sadjah, however, maintained that even if CCU formed a coalition with another party or parties, it was going for nothing less than the gubernatorial position in Machakos county.
“The track record of our party leader is exemplary and therefore she cannot deputise anybody for the gubernatorial position under any arrangement whatsoever, we are making it clear that Ndeti is going for gubernatorial position in the 2017 elections,” said Sadjah.
Sadjah said Ndeti has the right papers and experience in public service having been an assistant minister, Member of Parliament, chairperson of Political Parties Liaison Committee and party leader hence has all it takes to be the governor.
“Ndeti is tried and tested, deputizing someone means that the person will be riding on her good track record, popularity and fame,” said Sadjah.
Musau said CCU is strong and popular in Machakos county alongside other counties across the country given that it has sponsored its candidates to various offices as MCAs and MPs.
The party’s leadership said the fact that in the eight constituencies of Machakos county, CCU has two MPs in current parliament, Wiper three, Muungano one, Tip Tip one and Ford People one is a justification that CCU is strong and its leader fit for the gubernatorial position.