Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has moved to end his political marriage with Makueni governor Kivutha Kibwana in a move that is aimed at consolidating his support base in Makueni county.
Insiders say that Kalonzo is aware that Kibwana’s Muungano party is secretly planning to enter into an arrangement with Gideon Moi of Kanu, ODM leader Raila Odinga and CCM of Isaac Ruto in Uhuru succession gameplan and render Wiper useless in the political equation.
Others say Kibwana has also been reaching out to William Ruto as he plans to wrestle Kalonzo for Ukambani support.
The meeting attended by leaders perceived to be against the governor urged Kalonzo to expel the county boss from the party and fill the seat with a conformist.
During his speech the Wiper boss vowed to write to the registrar of political parties to terminate agreement signed between Wiper and Muungano party in the runup to 2017 elections. Party insiders say Kalonzo now wants the pact ended to give him leverage in dealing with Wiper MCAs in the assembly loyal to Governor Kibwana.
Their political wars have split the assembly down the middle with those elected rallying behind the governor.
However, nominated MCAs have teamed up and are fighting Kibwana for attacking Kalonzo. This lot has the backing of Makueni county women rep Rose Museo and Makueni MP Daniel Maanzo.
The leaders are pushing for exit of Kibwana from Wiper for the party to reorganise house leadership including replacing the county speaker Douglas Mbilo who is a Kibwana loyalist. Muungano party which Kibwana led before the 2017 pact with Wiper has 10 MCAs who are said to be loyal to Kibwana.
Kalonzo loyal MCAs accuse Kibwana and his executive of locking them out during key decision meetings for the county as a way of punishing them for standing firmly behind Kalonzo in the raging supremacy battles in the county.
The leaders also accuse the speaker of being a Kibwana puppet and working hard to frustrate anti-governor MCAs rooting for accountability.
Last week, the governor released a scathing attack on Kalonzo urging him to drop his presidential bid to either support him or Machakos governor Alfred Mutua who has also declared interest to run for the presidency come 2022. Mutua and Kibwana have teamed up to form the so-called South Eastern economic bloc which has also the backing of Kitui governor Charity Ngilu.
From Left: Governor Kibwana, Governor Ngilu and Governor Mutua
However, the block has been dismissed by Kambas as a political outfit aimed at fighting Kalonzo and not entirely formed towards improving the economy of the region.
Critics of the bloc say the three governors should first tell Kambas what they have done with the billions they have so far received from the national government before rooting for such blocs. The three counties have been rocked with theft by top county officials in the glaring watch of the county bosses who are now pretending to help Kambas alleviate poverty.
Kibwezi MP Philip Kaloki
Makueni MP Daniel Maanzo
The bloc has received lukewarm support from Kambas who say it is an extension of their wars with Kalonzo which is aimed at dividing the community.
Kibwana and Mutua are yet to hit the ground to popularise their presidential bids. Mutua is believed to be working in the shadows with Gedion who is keen on Kamba votes while Kibwana is fronted by DP William Ruto to help split Kamba votes and deny Kalonzo the home block votes which are crucial.Kibwana who is out to cut his image in Makueni is unhappy with Kalonzo for courting his political enemies in the county and wooing them back to Wiper.
Kalonzo of late has embraced former MCAs whom Kibwana vanquished politically in 2017 as he sought to assert himself. He has also held talks with former MPs from the county who do not see eye to eye with Kibwana. Those now working with Kalonzo from the county include Museo, Maanzo, MPs Thadeus Zambia of Kilome,,Jessica Mbalu, Kibwezi East, Erastus Kivasu, Mbooni and former Kibwezi MP Philip Kaloki.
