Written By Henry Kimoli
Makeuni County is hyped as the literary giant in Ukambani.
A settlement area in the mould of Transnzoia, Makueni was hired off from Machakos County in what was the Colonial map’s Ukambaland.
Mostly inhabited by the Akamba Community, it is the fruit basket of Lower Eastern.
From the famous Masongaleni Settlement Scheme to the Konza Technological City, the area is not lacking it’s fair share of fame and controversy.
Law Professor Kivutha,Kibwana was its first Govrrnor after promulgation of a,new Constituency in 2013. He has served his mandatory two terms and now must exit.
He dreams to be a President. A fall back position of a,CS interests him. Or an appointment as an ambassador. For Azimio Raila or Hustling DP William Ruto.
So who will replace him in this fiercely loyal Wiper Zone
Mutula Kilonzo Junior
The son of Wiper Founder Mutula Kilonzo Junior.
The Senior Council and former Mbooni MP gave the Party it’s name. And identity.
It so happened that research firm Synovate, prior to the 2007 elections released polls that depicted then ODM Kenya Presidential candidate second behind ODM’s Raila Odinga.
During subsequent rallies Mutula would ask the crowd to wave in the air, and shout wiper, to show Synovate that Kalonzo had followers.
And so the seed for the Wiper Party was planted. And Mutula was the sower of the seed from which the party sprouted.
Exit Mutula through a tragic death. And his lawyer son, a copy cat of the old block fills his gaping shoes as the Senator of Makueni.
Mutula now wants to be the king. The Governor of Makueni.
Junior has a party ticket in his pocket. He is a key pillar of Wiper in Ukambani. He is a brand off the Mutula colours.
He is respected accross Ukambani as an advocate and a chip off the old block.
He is free from any scandals.
He comes from the populous and iconic Mbooni5 Constituency. Hugely believed to be the cradle of the Akamba Community.
On 9th of August 2022, voting day, he will have 30 per cent of the ballot tucked away long before the voting starts.
His Atangwa Clan is a formidable leadership machine in Ukambani, giving him an edge over his peers.
It is Junior’s time to eat the Makueni Governor pie.
Patrick Mweu Musimba
The three time Kibwezi West MP retired the maveric Kalembe Ndile from politics.
He has a hands-on approach In politics and connects well with the Kibwezi voters, especially women.
He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree acquired from the University of Nairobi in 1996.
He has never joined Wiper. He always campaigns as an independent candidate.
Never the person to antagonise Kalonzo.
He harbours Presidential ambitions and has assembled teams that span to the land of his mother in Bungoma County.
Musimba hopes to lock the larger Kibwezi votes in his battle with Junior.
He has corruption case pending in court. In relation to the Chase Bank scandal.
It may have been decided by August. But this will not deter him from the big prize.
Musimba is married to the Musuva family of Kangundo.
The family has some political clout that will count for something.
And his pockets are deep from the huge agency business raked in as a dealer of Safaricom from its formative years.
He is a tea totler and Corporate businessman. He will be the man to beat.
Professor Philip Kaloki
This former Kibwezi West MP. He seeks to be the next Governor.
He was a powerful MP during the Nusu Mkate Government between 2007 and 2013.
In between, he has served as the Chairman of KMTC and an advisor of Wiper.
Now he will want to prove he is not politically bankrupt by working hard to be the next Governor.
But he will get a run for his money from other well established candidates.
