The battle to succeed Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka as the Kamba community political king-pin is on.
Kalonzo has been the Ukambani political leader for decades but the former Vice President could lose the title basing on his poor political performance in the recent years.
Political analysts argue that Kalonzo’s political relevance and leadership in Ukambani is slowly fading away.
The Wiper leader has remained in the political cold for the last five years.
Kalonzo was last in government in February 2013 when he was serving as the Vice President in President Mwai Kibaki’s coalition government.
Since then, the former Vice President political star has been dwindling with claims that he could lose relevance in the near future.
According to political analyst Peter Ngure, Kalonzo’s status as the Kamba kingpin is under threat with the emergence of youthful politicians in the region.
Ngure notes that it will be difficult for Kalonzo to continue holding the title as his support based continues to be eaten up by youthful leaders.
Here are the Kamba politicians likely to take over from Kalonzo as the Ukambani region kingpin according political analysts:
1. Alfred Mutua
He is the Machakos Governor serving his second term in office. Mutua was elected governor in 2013 on Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper Democratic Movement Party ticket.
Governor Mutua later fell out with Kalonzo and dumped Wiper party to form his own Maendeleo Chap Chap party.
The Machakos Governor was re-elected on his Chap Chap party in last year’s general election.
Mutua’s support base has been steadily rising in Ukambani and across the country, he has declared interest in the presidential seat in 2022 general elections.
2. Senator Mutula Kilonzo Junior
He is the Makueni senator serving his second term.
He joined politics in 2013 following the death of his late father Mutula Kilonzo. The vocal Makueni senator is the darling of many Ukambani residents more so young people.
Mutula Junior’s has been speaking on key issues facing the region and the country and is steadily making him a political name for himself in the Kamba region.
There are claims that the youthful senator could succeed Governor Kivutha Kibwana who is serving his second and final term in office.
3. Charity Ngilu
She is among the experienced political leaders in Ukambani and the country at large. In 2013, she unsuccessfully contested for the Kitui senate seat under the Jubilee ticket losing to David Musila.
In 2013, she was appointed Lands cabinet Secretary by President Uhuru Kenyatta’s government. She was later sacked in 2015 over allegations of corruption but cleared by the court over the allegations.
In 2017, Ngilu contested and won the Kitui governor seat on her NARC Party ticket. Ngilu also supported opposition leader Raila Odinga’s presidential bid in last year’s polls.
The Kitui governor is considered a mass mover and is loved by the Kamba community for her steadfastness and firm decision making.
4. Daniel Maanzo
He is the Makueni Town MP serving his second term. Maanzo, a lawyer by profession was among lead lawyers in NASA’s presidential petition last years that saw President Uhuru Kenyatta’s re-election nullified by the Supreme Court.
Maanzo is considered polite but brave and smart politicians. He has been vocal on key issues facing the country has seen him loved by many people.There are claims that Maanzo could contest for the Makueni senatorial seat in the 2022 general election.
5. Rachel Kaki Nyamai
She is the Kitui South lawmaker serving her second. She dumped Governor Charity Ngilu’s NARC party and joined President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party in 2017.
She won re-election on Jubilee party ticket and led fierce campaign for Uhuru Kenyatta in Ukambani for the October 26, repeat presidential election.
She is among the few Kamba politicians who won their seat on the Jubilee ticket in a region that is considered an opposition zone.
There are claims that Nyamai could contest for the Kitui governor seat in the 2022 general election.
6. Johnson Muthama.
He is the former Machakos senator. He was first elected Kangundo MP in 2007. Muthama is considered Kalonzo Musyoka’s close confidant.
There are claims that Muthama could contest for the Machakos governor seat in the 2022 general election.
Political analyst argue that Kalonzo has to make drastic political steps and decisions should he want to remain the region Kamba kingpin.
The wiper leader has been under pressure to quit NASA in efforts to revive his political career.
Kalonzo's party will on Friday hold a national delegate meeting to discuss key issues among hem its future in the Raila Odinga led NASA coalition.