Yatta MP Charles Kilonzo is said to be under pressure from a cartel around Machakos governor Alfred Mutua to contest the senatorial seat on a Maendeleo Chap Chap party. The scheme, it is said, is to lock out deputy governor Francis Maliti who has declared interest to succeed Mutua as Machakos governor. Maliti comes from Yatta just like the MP and Mutua knows it will be hard for both to contest two big county slots.
Kilonzo has left his supporters in disarray after he made it clear that he is set to quit parliamentary politics come 2022. The MP’s announcement has shifted the constituency politics considering that he has served as the area MP for three terms.
Kilonzo
It is not clear which seat he is angling for but those close to him say he has not made a decision on his political step. But those in the know say that should he get financial backing from Mutua, he would more willingly declare his interest for a county seat.
The MP found his way into politics in a by-election occasioned by the death of then MP JP Mutiso in 2003. He won the seat on a Narc ticket and after successfully defended his seat on an ODM-K ticket in 2007. However his stint in politics was thwarted in 2013 when he lost to then youthful Muungano party candidate Francis Mwangangi. The duo fought hard in the Wiper party primaries where the nomination was rigged in Kilonzo’s favour forcing Mwangangi to defect to Muungano party. Mwangangi went ahead to win the seat.
In 2017, Kilonzo bounced back to politics and won the seat in an election marred by irregularities forcing Mwangangi to file a petition in Machakos court.
The ruling upheld Kilonzo’s victory but barely after two months of winning, his popularity started waning across Yatta. Political pundits in Yatta say the MP is feeling a lot of pressure from voters who accuse him of being aloof and elitist.
Another factor that is giving the MP sleepless nights is the emerging formidable factor of Mwangangi in Yatta politics.
Those following the constituency politics say Mwangangi has maintained his presence in the area since 2017 and is viewed as down-to-earth leader who also participates in social welfare matters in the constituency as opposed to the incumbent who rarely interacts with voters.
Mwangangi got a boost last month when current and former elected leaders from across Yatta threw their weight behind him saying the area was better served when he served as the MP. With Mwangangi out to reclaim his seat come 2022 other candidates will find it hard to match his mobilisation skills with some as early as now being dismissed as nonstarter
