Maendeleo Chap Chap Machakos senatorial candidate in March 2021 by-election Mutua Katuku claims he was cheated with a plum government position to step aside of the race just days to the by-election. It is Governor Alfred Mutua who announced the last-minute withdrawal saying Uhuru Kenyatta hand in the move. In private, Mutuku claims he was misled and now the promised job is nowhere. During a recent funeral of James Mwendwa in Kivauni, Mwala, Katuku also ruled out defecting to Wiper party.
Mutua Katuku
Weekly Citizen has information before the by-election, Mutuku held talks at State House with Uhuru, Governor Mutua and deputy governor Francis Maliti. Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka was not present. The name of UDA chairman Johnstone Muthama featured prominently and it was agreed, Mutuku pulls out from the race in favour of Wiper face. “I didn’t step out of the senatorial race, I was forced. I didn’t get any money. God’s time is the best. It is better that I left the race otherwise you would have come to my funeral before coming to Mbisi’s funeral. There was nothing else that could be done,” he told mourners. Other leaders who attended the burial included the area MCA Anastaciah Mutuku, Urbanus Ngengele, Machakos contractors chair Kilei Mutinda from Mwala and Mwala MP Vincent Musyoka.
Dr Alfred Mutua
During the burial, MP Musyoka was seen gesturing when Mutinda who is said to be eyeing Mwala parliamentary seat was given an opportunity to address mourners. At the same venue, Ngengele who was defeated in Machakos Senatorial by election spoke of defecting to Wiper party. Ngengele, as Mutuku addressed mourners, kept on laughing knowing well, had the ex-minister not withdrawn, the results could have been different. But MP Musyoka, an ally of William Ruto told Ngengele to stop dreaming of joining Wiper. Ngengele was defeated by Agnes Kavindu of Wiper getting 19,726 votes against 104,352 of Kavindu.
Agnes Kavindu
Kavindu is set to defend her seat next year. That Machakos governor seat is going to be hotly contested was seen when a section of MCAs affiliated to Maendeleo Chap Chap endorsed deputy governor Francis Maliti to take over from Mutua. Those backing Maliti are led deputy minority whip of Machakos county assembly and MCA Kangundo West Titus Ikusya, Ndalani MCA Joseph Nzuki and Mua ward MCA Francis Ngunga. Others who have declared interest in the county seat are Wavinya Ndeti, Mavoko MP Patrick Makau, speaker Florence Mwangangi, UDA chair Johnson Muthama among others.
