Editor's Review

Fresh details have emerged on the cancellation of President Uhuru Kenyatta's Ukambani tour after the government cited fears of triggering a spread of  Covid19 in the region.

Fresh details have emerged on the cancellation of President Uhuru Kenyatta's Ukambani tour with sources pointing a finger at the supremacy battles among leaders as the key reason for the tour being voided.

The government had earlier cited fears of triggering a spread of  Covid-19 in the region as the reason for the tour not kicking off as scheduled.

Starting Tuesday 6th July 2021 to Wednesday, President Kenyatta was set to tour Machakos, Makueni, and Kitui counties in what had been dubbed as a 'developmental tour of the region.'

Governors Alfred Mutua (Machakos), Kivutha Kibwana (Makueni) and Charity Ngilu (Kitui)/ Photo Courtesy

Read More

  1. Charity Ngilu Breaks Silence After Missing in Action in Azimio Demos
  2. Charity Ngilu's Statement After Skipping Swearing-in Ceremony of Kitui Governor Julius Malombe
  3. Outgoing Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana Joins Ruto Camp

Insider sources are now hinting that a push and pull had developed among the region's key leaders over the control of the programme.

Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka's influence in the region has been waning as his political star dims due to his relative lack of success in the past two general elections.

In his stead have risen nascent kingpins who hold key positions as governors of the region's three counties: Alfred Mutua of Machakos, Professor Kivutha Kibwana of Makueni and Charity Ngilu of Kitui.

Kalonzo, during a church service in Mumbuni on Sunday 4th July stated that President Kenyatta would tour Konza city, Thwake dam that is still under construction,  the Kibwezi–Mutomo–Kitui Road and later grace the opening ceremony of Tseikuru Technical Institute.

Speaking to the media in Wote town, Makueni on  June 30th, the three governors outlined their developmental agenda which they expected President Uhuru to carry out.

‘‘We expect to be given a fully-fledged university and a regional bank,’’ said Governor Kibwana with Governor Mutua saying they expected a basket of goodies from the president.

Kibwana took issue with Kalonzo's apparent role in the planned tour saying that the president should tag along Raila Odinga as he had initiated some road projects in the region.

Another issue said to have cropped up was Kalnzo's wish to host President Uhuru at his home for lunch just like Raila Odinga did when the president toured Nyanza.

The three governors were informed of the tour cancellation on Monday 5th July when they attended a meeting hosted by Head of Public service Joseph Kinyua at Harambee house.