The battle for Machakos Senate seat kicked off yesterday after the Independent Election and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) cleared 11 candidates for the March 18 by-election, that was occasioned by the death of Boniface Kabaka last month.

 Political party bigwigs including Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Moses Wetang’ula (Ford Kenya), Kanu national chairman Gideon Moi and Musalia Mudavadi of Amani National Congress teamed up to campaign for the Wiper candidate.  

 The four declared that their team will ascend to State House after the Uhuru Kenyatta’s exit next year.

 “We have the team that is taking over after Uhuru Kenyatta,” said Kalonzo, whose party has fielded Agnes Kavindu, the former wife of Johnstone Muthama-who is  Deputy President William Ruto’s key pointman in Ukambani. 

Kavindu hailed Uhuru for supporting her candidature, dismissing claims that she lacked capacity to take up the job.

 “The old man by name Johnston Muthama is the father of my children and  let him be respected and I will always respect him. Have you ever heard me insulting him?” posed Kavindu.

 Kalonzo has expressed anger at Ruto’s decision to sponsor a candidate in the contest through the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) which is chaired by Muthama, saying it was an act of provocation and disrespect. UDA has fielded Urbanus Ngengele for the contest.

 Wetang’ula said their presence in Ukambani alongside Kalonzo was a big statement.

“We are walking the same direction and we have same destiny with one goal of making our country better,” he said.

 The Ford Kenya leader said election of the Wiper candidate will foster Kalonzo’s national image.

 Kanu chairman Moi said the Kamba community should be in the next government and the Machakos by-election will be a litmus test for what will unfold in 2022.

 “We are here to show you the seriousness of the matter and in solidarity with our brother. We urge you to make a statement in the ballot come March 18,” said the Baringo Senator.

 “We are going to work together with my brothers to ensure that the country is not left in the hands of plunderers come 2022,” added Kalonzo.

 Addressing a series of rallies after Kavindu was cleared, Mudavadi asked voters to resist the UDA candidate.

Peaceful county

 “Don’t vote for those who betrayed our president. We want solid leaders who mean well for this country.

 Separately, Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua led his Maendeleo brigade to drum up support for its candidate Mutua Katuku.

 “Machakos people are too wise for some outsiders (in apparent reference to Kalonzo and DP Ruto) to choose a leader for them.

Katuku is a tested candidate who will help me deliver ahead of 2022. We don’t want sideshows in our peaceful county,” said Mutua, who was accompanied by Yatta MP Charles Kilonzo and former Machakos County Woman Rep Susan Musyoka.

 Separately, Muthama who was in the company of UDA candidate Ngengele, Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, his Kericho counterpart Aaron Cheruiyot and MPs Nimrod Mbai, Vincent Musyoka and Victor Munyaka,  held a rally at the Machakos bus park where they invited Kalonzo to work with Ruto.

 “I want to ask my friend Kalonzo Musyoka to come early and take up a position in the Hustler Nation so that the Kamba community is not left out again in 2022 government, because we are sure we will take over the leadership of this country,” said Murkomen.

And Muthama, who is campaigning against his estranged wife, remained categorical that his current political front will liberate the nation from the jaws of what he described as poor leadership.

 “There is no time to bring Kalonzo into government as we have forgotten him completely as a community,” said Muthama.