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Azimio-One Kenya presidential candidate Raila Odinga yesterday watched as simmering sibling rivalry in the Azimio family boiled to the surface in Machakos County.

The rivalry between former State House Chief of Staff Nzioka Waita, who is running for Machakos governorship and his rival, former Transport CAS Wavinya Ndeti, played out in the open.

Raila was in Machakos to drum up support for his presidential bid but campaign rallies turned into shouting matches between Waita and Ndeti supporters.

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka did not help matters when he campaigned for Ndeti. 

He said Waita did not have the interest of Machakos people at heart and that he should step down to allow Ndeti to fly the Azimio flag in the Machakos governorship race. 

But a defiant Waita asked Raila to ignore the pressure by Kalonzo and instead allow him to compete fairly with Ndeti.

Raila, however, did not comment on the matter. He promised to address water scarcity in the region and lower the prices of maize flour and cooking oil if Azimio coalition forms the next government.

“It is a pity that Ukambani region has a serious water problem yet so many rivers pass through it. Once Azimio forms government, we will  build dams on those rivers and pump water to the local communities. I will also reduce the price of unga and cooking oil,” he said.

Third time

Raila told rallies in Masinga, Matuu, Masii and Athi River townships, where he was accompanied by Kalonzo and governors Kivutha Kibwana (Makueni) and Charity Ngilu (Kitui), to back his  presidential bid. 

Kalonzo who was in the company of  lawmakers from his party, hosted Raila at a church service and later addressed a series of rallies at Masinga, Matuu and Athi River towns.

The former Vice-President said he went to introspection before making up his mind to support Raila for the third time. “Many people said I was finished when I decided not to go to the ballot, but I want to warn them that they will be the first to get finished,” he said.

The Wiper party leader said he had gone through an unforgettable journey with Raila saying that they were inseparable.

He praised governors Kivutha Kibwana (Makueni) and Charity Ngilu (Kitui) for standing firm with Raila.

While Raila was in Machakos, his running mate Martha Karua campaigned in Deputy President William Ruto’s Uasin-Gishu backyard.

Karua said Azimio was the only coalition with a development agenda for Kenyans and hit out at their opponents whom she said were engaging in empty rhetoric.

The former Gichugu MP, who received a warm reception, was accompanied by Elgeyo-Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos and former Kenya ambassador to Turkey Stephen Tarus.  Also in attendance was ODM Secretary for Devolution Kipkorir arap Menjo.

Karua assured the region’s farmers that if elected, Raila would address their plight including high cost of fertilizer. “Cartels who have infiltrated the agriculture sector should prepare to go home when we take over. It will not be business as usual,” said the former Justice Minister.

Graft fight

The leaders attended a church at PCEA Church before heading to Huruma Grounds at the outskirts of Eldoret where they addressed a rally.

Tolgos said the Raila-Karua ticket was the best bet to clinch the presidency on August 9.

“Don’t waste your vote as Rift Valley. Azimio-One Kenya is the winning team,” said Governor Tolgos.

Menjo said Raila and Karua’s fight against corruption was unrivaled adding that they will safe the country more than Sh800 billion lost every year to graft.

Earlier, Karua and her entourage abandoned their vehicles and walked for over 5km, along the busy Uganda Road to Huruma Grounds.

—Mutuku Mwangangi, Chris Mambo and Wycliff Kipsang