By Martin Masai
Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua and his Makueni counterpart Kivutha Kibwana today presided over a meeting that resolved to mobilize ukambani region into playing a significant role in national politics.
The leaders played down a perception that the meeting was aimed at scuttling another one scheduled on January 15 at the home of Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
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| Governor Mutua and Kibwana acknowledge greetings as they entered the meeting venue |
However analysts see the meeting as a local effort to pile pressure on Kalonzo to abandon his quest for the Presidency and support former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's final stab for the seat.
Even then, the leaders called for a meeting to be held at a neutral ground to deliberate on the fate of ukambani in the National discourse.
Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu send apologies through Prof Kibwana.
The following is the full communique issued after the meeting held at the Machakos International Convention Centre.
"Leaders drawn from Machakos, Makueni and Kitui Counties have met
today at the Machakos International Convention Centre for a
consultative leaders meeting. The meeting called by Governors Kivutha
Kibwana, Dr. Alfred N. Mutua and H.E. Charity Ngilu has deliberated on
various issues and resolved as follows:
1) That it is imperative that a representative of South/Lower Eastern
region leads Kenya or the community is a KEY part of the next
national government.
2) That the Akamba community has over 2 million votes and going
forward we shall not agree to be taken for granted.
3) That all political players and political parties present in the region
including NARC, MCC, WIPER, Muungano and others must mobilize
to ensure the above over- aching objective is achieved despite their
competition.
4) That overall, the developmental interests of the community must come
first before the personal interests of any leader. The people want
development that rolls back poverty and not merely BIG POSITIONS
for a few individuals.
5) That the three Governors are tasked to offer political direction that
includes whether to support one of our own for the Presidency, or join
hands with H.E. Raila Odinga and AZIMIO or any other progressive coalition.
) That we will mobilize our community to receive Covid-19 vaccination
and to observe Covid protocols to reduce illness and death.
7) That the three Governors will lead a massive voter registration
exercise at the grassroots which will also double as consultative
meetings on the preferred political direction.
8) That we shall request our community elders and religious leaders to
convene a meeting to bring together the different and even competing
political players, at a neutral venue, to concretize our approach
informed by the views of wananchi collected at the grassroots latest by
end of February, 2022.
Wednesday, 12th January, 2022
