As the clock ticks towards 2022 general elections, the race to succeed Machakos governor Alfred Mutua is becoming murkier with a number of aspirants already hitting the ground to popularise their bid. Those who have come out to declare their interest include the county deputy governor Francis Maliti, the county senator Boniface Kabaka, former senator and one time Kangundo MP Johnson Muthama, Yatta MP Charles Kilonzo and Transport CAS Wavinya Ndeti. The race which will be ultimately defined by county geopolitics is gaining momentum with incumbent Mutua throwing his weight behind his deputy Maliti. Maliti will fly the Maendeleo Chap Chap party ticket and is hoping to inherit Mutua’s networks which he has built since his election in 2013 as the first Machakos county governor. Mutua defeated Wavinya Ndeti who was his closest rival in both two elections proving that he is still a force to reckon with in Machakos politics.
Machakos Governor Dr Alfred Mutua
In both elections, Mutua has outwitted Muthama by defeating his allies as both fought for the control of the county politics. In 2013 elections, Mutua defeated Muthama’s candidate Mutua Katuku during Wiper primaries. During the primaries, Mutua had the backing of Kalonzo Musyoka who had no time for the Muthama candidate. Muthama who was contesting the senatorial seat went ahead to back Wavinya Ndeti who was running on a CCU ticket in a deal that saw Wavinya pick Katuku as her running mate. Muthama’s wars with Mutua went ahead which culminated into Muthama backing Mutuas deputy governor Bernard Kiala in the last general elections.
Kiala had fallen out with Mutua with the governor accusing him of being the senator’s spy in his administration. Mutua who had defected from Wiper in fear that Muthama was out to frustrate him went ahead and formed his
Maendeleo Chap Chap party.
Former Machakos senator Johnston Muthama
During the last polls the party fought a strong presence of Kalonzo and Wiper influence in the county and won two elective seats. The governor retained his seat and got one parliamentary seat. The party won Mwala seat and a number of MCAs seats. Mutua went ahead to bury Muthama protégé Kiala politically and also defeated Kalonzo’s Wiper candidate Wavinya Ndeti. The control of 2022 politics has sucked in Muthama himself who is warming up for the seat. Already, Muthama has assembled MPs who are backing his bid. The former senator who is backing deputy president William Ruto’s presidential bid has brought on his side MPs from the county who are allied to the DP already. The Tanga Tanga allied MPs include Victor Munyaka (Machakos Town), Vincent Musyoka, (Mwala) and Fabian Kyule (Kangundo).
Wavinya Ndeti
Muthama hopes to use the MPs to boost his chances against both Kalonzo and Mutua forces. He is also said to be pursuing his degree course at a private university. The degree issue has proven an uphill task for him. It is against this backdrop that Kalonzo is burning midnight oil to back a strong candidate to battle it out with both Muthama and Governor Mutua candidate who is still touted to be his deputy. In Wiper and Kalonzo circles, both Wavinya Ndeti and Kathiani MP Robert Mbui feature prominently as possible people to be endorsed. However, the entry of business tycoon Peter Muthoka is giving both Kalonzo allies sleepless nights. Muthoka who is now the force behind Kalonzo including his recent decision to work with Uhuru is behind deputy head of civil service Nzioka Waita candidature. Muthoka is said to be backing Waita to take over from Mutua in a scheme that has the blessing of Uhuru himself. Insider sources at Wiper say Uhuru has prevailed on Kalonzo to back Waita who comes from Machakos Town constituency.
Eng Francis Maliti
The move will force Kalonzo to drop both Wavinya and Mbui who were close on his cards as he seeks to plant his ally in Machakos county. Both Uhuru and Waita are bossom friends since their school days. Both president and Waita were classmates at prestigious St Mary’s school in Nairobi. Although Waita has not gone public over the matter, he is said to be already assembling a team of strategists and advisers in preparation for the contest that has the backing of State House. The entry of Waita will complicate matters for other candidates due to the Kalonzo factor. Kalonzo still commands massive following across Ukambani and with him backing Waita, the race will already be defined according to political pundits.
Machakos senator Boniface Kabaka Mutinda
Initially, Mutua had approached Waita to be the Chap Chap candidate but he declined after Kalonzo cut a political deal with Uhuru himself. The tycoon Muthoka who has no time for Muthama has promised a bruising duel even as he seeks to stab authority in Machakos county politics. Whereas he hails from Makueni county, Muthoka has relocated to Machakos county where he has put his home. The wealthy tycoon who is close to Uhuru has vowed to use resources to install Waita as Machakos governor once Mutua retires. Machakos senator Kabaka has also declared inters for the seat and is expected to contest on a CCU ticket where he is the party leader. However, those following Machakos county politics say the race will narrow down to Waita the Wiper candidate, Muthama and the Maendeleo Chap Chap candidate who will be fronted by outgoing Governor Mutua
