Changing tack: Is Ukambani region joining forces with Kenya Kwanza?

The crowd cheered as she kept posing the question for the people to endorse her willingness to engage the government.

During the burial of the late James Mutinda at Kaloleni village in Mwala sub-county Machakos county, other wiper leaders led by Kitui Senator, Enock Wambua, said they were ready to work from the opposition side and asked the government not to sideline regions that were mapped as Azimio zones.

"Water in Ukambani should be given priority. The 85 per cent left to National Government belongs to all the people of Kenya even those who had voted against Kenya Kwanza. We ask for equitable distribution or we raise our voices in protest," said Wambua.

UDA's nominated MP Jackson Kosgei, who was also present, asked the Kamba community to reconsider their political future saying both communities had worked together well in the past.

"Politics have dynamics. We, the Kalenjin and the Kamba community share a lot. As we go forward, our people have asked us to request you to walk together with you. We requested Kalonzo Musyoka to work with us, but he didn't trust us, but we still have room. We are asking you for the third time we need to work with you," said Kosgei.

In Makueni county, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Junior while addressing mourners in a burial at Nzeveni Primary School, Mbooni West, said he knew that the Azimio case in the Supreme Court was bound to fail and it was time to work well with Ruto for the region's development interests.

"I had earlier informed Senator Dan Maanzo that we will fail if we file that case in court. We didn't have enough agents. I want to tell my people that we will not stay in political cold for more years. We are now fed up. We have to plan ahead for our people to secure development," said Kilonzo junior, also a key Kalonzo ally.

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka. [Silas Otieno, Standard]

Makueni senator Dan Maanzo said Kenya's political architecture has no opposition, only majority, and minority sides.

Political analyst, Urbanus Mutinda felt that Kalonzo and other Wiper Senators have little to deliver directly to the people as opposed to the Governors and that the Kamba community needs to be in the government of the day.

"The three Ukambani Governors have a role to play since they are carrying the burden of expectations by the people. Governors need to deliver development as opposed to the Senators who only offer oversight," said Wambua.

However, he said, the Governors should respect the Kamba leaders, who worked with Ruto during the hard campaign times.