Ukambani political wing allied to Deputy President  William Ruto have accused the State of frustrating their political meetings in the region.

The group led by former Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama has hit the ground in a bid to popularise Ruto’s bid in the region.

Recently, police barred Ruto allied MPs Nimrod Mbai (Kitui East), Victor Munyaka (Machakos town), Fabian Muli (Kangundo) and Vincent Musyoka (Mwala) from addressing a political meeting at the home of a Kitui South politician Bernard Kitindio in Mathima village.

Lobbed teargas

Police erected roadblocks at Mathima, a few kilometres to the venue, making it hard for lawmakers to access it.  

Later on, an impromptu rally organised by the MPs was also disrupted as police lobbed teargas canisters.

As the fierce battle for the over one million Ukambani vote continued, the Ruto brigade was also dispersed by police as it attempted to address a rally in Kiusyani in lower Yatta.

The MPs who spoke at Muthama’s home at Mua Hills in Machakos County, blamed Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka for their woes saying he was out to ensure no pro-Ruto political event takes off in Ukambani.

Muthama had hosted political aspirants and opinion leaders from Makueni County led by former Cabinet minister Gideon Ndambuki. 

The leaders addressed the meeting amid tension as the police surrounded the heavily secured home of the flamboyant politician.

The men in uniform left Muthama’s home around 3pm  after an intervention from Munyaka who close confidants said talked to the Machakos Police bosses to withdraw the armed contingent.  

“We are asking Kalonzo to stop interfering with our activities and instead come to the ground like us in the Ruto camp,” said Mbai.

Musyoka on his part said it was wrong for a presidential candidate to block another candidate from campaigning at his backyard, saying it was a blatant abuse to democracy.

Gain sympathy

“If you are a presidential candidate and you don’t want your competitor to campaign in your area, then how are you going to penetrate other regions?

We want to tell Kalonzo to keep off Ruto’s campaigns and instead mount his own, instead of lazing around,” said Musyoka.   

But Kalonzo’s associate and former East African Legislative Assembly MP Peter Mathuki said the group has no agenda for the people and only survives by invoking Kalonzo’s name to gain sympathy from the electorate.  

“Let them do their business without mentioning our party leader; Kalonzo’s name.  They will soon face the wrath of the electorate,” said Mathuki.  

Political losers

Contacted, Kalonzo said he will not waste his energy fighting inconsequential politicians, warning that they would soon face the music.

Kalonzo said he had his eyes trained on the presidency and would not be a running mate in any political arrangement.

Muthama on his part laughed off claims that he was auctioning Kamba community to Ruto, saying he was financially endowed and does not get any funding from Ruto. 

“What can Ruto offer me?  I am a man of deep pockets who has funded several presidential campaigns from as early as the 90s when Ruto was a Kanu youth leader,” boasted Muthama.