Ukambani governors hit out at Kalonzo over 'indecision' in talks with Azimio la Umoja

Three governors from Ukambani region are now accusing Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka of what they claim is playing hardball in ongoing talks with the Azimio la Umoja team.

The governors; Charity Ngilu (Kitui), Alfred Mutua (Machakos) and Kivutha Kibwana (Makueni) say they will ensure the three counties of Lower Eastern back ODM leader Raila Odinga's presidential bid.

The county bosses spoke on Wednesday as they kicked off their three-day marathon rallies in the Lower Eastern region, starting in Makindu, Kakima and Mbumbuni in Makueni County.

“This is the beginning of a revolution…this is the beginning of a new way of doing things in Ukambani and in Kenya. Kwa muda mrefu tmekuwa tukiambiwa tuende hivi tunakwenda tu, sasa imefikia wakati wa kusema ni kwa nini,” said Governor Mutua.

The One Kenya Alliance (OKA) has hinted at ongoing talks with the Azimio la Umoja movement to back Odinga's bid while ruling out talks with the Kenya Kwanza team led by Deputy President William Ruto.

“Mnataka kuingia kwa serikali au mnataka kukaa nje? Na ndivyo tumekuja hapa,” said Governor Ngilu.

Governor Kibwana added: “Kenya ikiwa na shida kabisa…shida za uchumi, uhuru…Raila alijitoa na wenzake, akiwa mstari wa kwanza akitaka ukombozi wa Kenya nzima.”

The governors termed Odinga's leadership as true and tested, including during the grand coalition government when he alongside then president Mwai Kibaki oversaw the birth of the 2010 Constitution.

“Hii kitu inaitwa devolution…Raila alisema kwamba hii bottom-up ya ukweli ni pesa zije mashinani kwa watu…na akasimama kidete akasema devolution mpaka ikuwe jinsi tulikuwa nayo wakati wa uhuru,” said Governor Kibwana.

Ngilu stated: “Sasa pesa iko kule juu, lakini hakuna mmoja kutoka Ukambani ako ndani pahali inasemekana hii iende Makueni, hii iende Kitui na Machakos…hakuna!”

The leaders also rallied residents behind the social protection fund championed by the ODM leader.

“Hii mpango nimechunguza…mimi nimeishi Australia, Marekani, Dubai…ni mpango ambao unaitwa social welfare program…kila mmoja wenu katika nyumba yenu atakuwa anapata shilingi elfu sita kwa mfuko kila mwisho wa mwezi,” said Governor Mutua.