Power games unfold as Ruto begins tour of Kalonzo turf

After postponing touring Ukambani three times, President William Ruto is now set to tour the three counties in the region, in what is billed as a development tour ahead of Mashujaa Day Celebrations on October 20.

According to a schedule that is being circulated by some of the UDA allied MPs from the region, the president is expected to kick off his whirlwind tour of the region on Wednesday starting with Mwingi West where he is expected to inspect the ongoing tarmacking works for kwa Siku – Migwani – Mbondoni road.

This 27km key link road that connects to Mwingi – Garisa road is part of Kibwezi – Mutomo – Kitui – Mbondoni road which stalled three years ago, causing anxiety among the area residents.

The same day, the president is expected to launch the tarmacking of Nzambani – Zombe road in Kitui East as well as Kangundo – Mwala road in Machakos county. On Friday, the president will be in Kibwezi West launching the Emali – Ukia road, then fly to Kitui South to launch the Ikutha – Mutha road. The head of state will also inspect the affordable housing project in the outskirts of Kitui town. Additionally the president will inspect the affordable housing project in Wote town, Makueni County and also in Machakos.

On Monday, the president will lead the Mashujaa Day celebrations at Ithookwe Stadium in Kitui, which has been put up for Sh700 million, according to the Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Salim Mvurya.

The president’s visit to Ukambani, which is seen as Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s political stronghold, coupled with his dolling out of development projects, is largely interpreted as a clever political move to infiltrate Kalonzo’s backyard and sway his support ahead of 2027 presidential election.

Some of the region’s UDA legislators such as Mwala MP Vincent Musyoka claim that Ukambani has seen a wave of development  under president Ruto  than never witnessed  before, and wants the area residents to disentangle themselves from ‘cult politics’ and embrace a leadership that is willing to serve wananchi.

“For far too long, the Kamba community has been kept in opposition politics by one person. It is now time we freed ourselves,” the legislator says.

Still, the Kenya Kwanza brigade still sees the president’s visit as a political harvest time, where he is likely to convince some in the Wiper leaders to join his camp. The latest entry to the Kenya Kwanza side is Wiper’s Mwingi West MP Charles Nguna, popularly known as CNN, who two days ago caused an online buzz after he was photographed with president Ruto at statehouse.

The MP who had for long been branded a UDA mole, especially after he defied the Wiper party position on two occasions, has however, justified his statehouse visit, claiming that he was invited for tea “where we discussed development issues in my constituency.”

“Yesterday I met H.E Ruto to discuss development issues, primarily touching on all ongoing projects such as Kwa Siku – Mbondoni road, rehabilitation of colonial dams and electrification programmes,” Nguna said in a WhatsApp post as a section of Wiper supporters descended on him.

“In view of this, I urge you all to join me in implementing these projects for the benefit of our community,” the legislator went on. By bagging the Wiper MP to their side, the Kenya Kwanza team has exuded confidence that the ground is shifting.

Indeed, when he met Kenya Kwanza allied MPs from Ukambani MP at State House on Friday, President Ruto commended the legislator for opting to work closely with his administration.

“I especially thank Mwingi West MP Charles Nguna of Wiper for his bold move to join our team in order to push forward the development agenda in his constituency,” the president said in a social media post.

The MP’s visit to State House comes only four days after he skipped a Wiper rally held at Kalundu and Kabati markets in Kitui County which were addressed by Kalonzo and former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, Martha Karua, Eugene Wamalwa, Justin Muturi ,among other leaders.

Noticing the MP’s absence, Kalonzo snapped. “I can’t see CNN here. Ruto has been lying to him and going forward, we shall ask if he is part of us or not.”

On two occasions, the MP rubbed the party the wrong way when he voted in support of 2024 Finance Bill also voted to impeach Gachagua, against the party’s directive.

Nguna however, claims that the former DP was responsible for the stalling of Kwa Siku – Mbondoni road, saying he had allegedly diverted funds meant for the same when he was in office. He says that he had to personally ask the president to allocate funds for the completion of the project.

The recent forays in Ukambani by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki are also seen as a pointer to a wider scheme by the government to slice off a chunk of Kalonzo’s support base. Addressing a rally in Meru last week, Kindiki said he was still hopeful to lure the Wiper leader to the government’s side.

“Na mimi sijakufa moyo. Huyo ndugu yangu naendelea kumuongelesha namna hii, namna hii na mambo itakuwa sawa. (I have not given up (on Kalonzo), I’m still engaging my brother and in the fullness of time, things will be okay,” Kindiki said.

Kalonzo has, however, come out guns blazing and told the DP to stop wasting time pursuing him.

“I’m telling Kindiki, enough is enough. There is no position I need from your boss. I’m going for his seat,” Kalonzo said at the Kitui rally on Monday.

The united opposition says it is aware that President Ruto has hatched a plot to fracture it by courting some of its key leaders, with a keen target at Kalonzo who is largely seen as the fulcrum around which the opposition strength revolves.

Addressing the Wiper delegates on Friday at Uhuru Park,  Gachagua told President Ruto to keep off Kalonzo.

“I am the spokesperson of cousins. If Ruto wants to engage Kalonzo, let him do so through me at my Wamunyoro home,” Gachagua said to the cheers of the crowd. “I have engaged Kalonzo for the last one year, he is not the type of leader to betray Kenyans. Mr Ruto, prepare to go home,” the former DP charged.

The Wiper leader has weighed in on Ruto’s visit to Kitui County on Mashujaa Day. He avers that Ruto will be coming to his home ground to symbolically hand over power to him. 

“The presidency is coming home. I’m urging you all to turn up on Mashujaa Day and symbolically take the reins of power from Ruto,” Kalonzo said. He has personally said he will not attend the celebrations.