The scramble for governorship in three Ukambani counties has raised political temperatures in the region as Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka's close allies lock horns.
Senior politicians from Kitui, Makueni and Machakos are aligning themselves for top seats at the counties ahead of the 2017 general elections.
Kitui senator David Musila, former Lands CS Charity Ngilu, and other regional political stalwarts have all declared interest in the region's top job.
The seat is currently held by Julius Malombe.
Malombe, who was elected on a Wiper ticket and a close confidant of Kalonzo, faces stiff opposition from majority of the elected leaders in the county after a fallout over alleged mismanagement of health and development projects.
Senator Musila and eight MPs have accused Malombe of delaying operations at more than 100 health facilities that gobbled more than Sh100 million CDF cash.
But observers say Musila's bid for governorship could force other aspirants to decamp to other parties, a move that is likely to jeopardize Kalonzo's support.
“Musila is the Wiper Democratic Kenya party chairman. Do you expect the party to give the nomination to his competitor?” Paul Mutua asked.
“Many people may decamp to opponent parties in fear of being sidelined and rigged out which will further weaken Kalonzo's political home turf.”
Replica of 2013 General Elections
The battle between Ngilu and Musila will be a near-replica of race for Kitui's senate seat in the 2013 general elections where Musila beat Ngilu.
In an interview with Citizen TV on Wednesday, Ngilu said she was rejected for supporting president Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto against the Kamba community's wishes.
Ngilu had been Kalonzo's chief critic, but the two, according to political developments, seem to have buried hatchet after .
“I have always been ready to play the big brother role for my sister Ngilu,” Kalonzo told this writer in an interview.
“I was even ready to go on record for her when she was taken to court but other lawyers restrained me as that would have created perception that the case was serious when it was not."
Also read:
The Kalonzo-Ngilu unity has restored the community's trust in her. Observers are of the opinion that Kalonzo might be required to compel Musila, his party's chairman, to drop his ambitions of becoming the second Kitui governor and instead defend his senator's seat while supporting Ngilu's bid for governor.
Also read: .
Meanwhile, in Machakos, deputy governor Bernard Kiala, East African Legislative Assembly member Peter Mathuki, and Chama cha Uzalendo's leader Wavinya Ndeti are eying the seat held by Alfred Mutua.
Pundits say only Ndeti has the political muscle to topple Mutua and the Wiper party must eat its humble pie and beg her back to its fold.
Ndeti was allegedly rigged out by the Wiper party during January 18, 2013 nominations and the ticket handed to Mutua. She went on to contest on a CCU party ticket and emerged second.
Makueni governor Kivutha Kibwana expects little opposition as he is said to be enjoying solid backing of the voters.
Although Kibwezi West MP Patrick Musimba has expressed interest in the seat, observers note Kibwana does not have a serious challenger.
Musimba is a first time MP elected as an independent candidate.
Residents held protests in the county and in Nairobi in defense of Kibwana after he was impeached by the county assembly.
They said the MCAs impeached him after he declined to approve the 2014/2015 budget.
The ward reps had of allocated themselves Sh900 million out of the Sh5.6 billion allocated to the county that Financial Year.
The residents demanded dissolution of the entire county government and by-elections to send home the MCAs.
A committee formed by president Uhuru Kenyatta to investigate matters leading made recommendations to dissolve the entire county government, but Uhuru rejected them, giving a lease of life to the county.