Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Aspirants unveil running mates


TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2013 - 00:00 -- BY WAMBUA KAVILA
Aspirants vying for Machakos governor on a Wiper ticket have unveiled their running mates.
Former government spokesman Alfred Mutua has picked Bernard Kiala, an ex-banker while one time Cabinet minister Mutua Katuku has settled on businessman Collins Kitaka.
Mutua said he picked Kiala who comes from Masinga to give the area adequate representation in the county government following years of neglect.
Assistant minister for Youth Affairs and Kathiani MP Wavinya Ndeti who is vying on a chama cha uzalendo ticket is yet to name her running mate along with DP aspirant Nzioki Kibua.
Mutua supports Boniface Kabaka for senator saying counties need educated people and not seasoned politicians if they are to prosper.
He added that it is "most unfortunate" that he was almost roughed up in Kangundo a few weeks ago when drunk youths told him that they had been instructed by a local leader not to allow him to campaign in the area.
"The politics of intimidation and violence is outdated and archaic. Those practising it should be rejected by voters," Mutua said.
He added that some Wiper leaders are holding meetings in Machakos town to plan how to rig Thursday nominations in favour of their cronies.
Outgoing Masinga MP Benson Itwiku Mbai said the area had been neglected despite providing water and hydro-electric power through Masinga dam.
"They are building a second water pipeline to Kitui while Masinga people still lack clean drinking water," Mbai said, accusing Water minister Charity Ngilu of favouritism in the distribution of the resource.
Kabaka said if elected he will try to have Machakos considered in the equalisation fund and asked residents to elect educated leaders who understand the functions of the devolved government.Kabaka who has four degrees will face government whip and Kangundo MP Johnson Muthama.

No comments:

Post a Comment