Kamba leaders say Kethi Kilonzo will vie for Makueni seat

By Daniel Nzia and Onesmus Nzioka

MAKUENI, KENYA: Kamba leaders trooped to Makueni County where they endorsed the late Senator Mutula Kilonzo’s daughter Kethi Kilonzo to succeed him.

Led by Machakos County Senator Johnstone Muthama (pictured), the leaders confirmed that Kethi had accepted to vie on the Wiper party ticket in the July 22 by election.

The leaders, who included MPs Daniel Maanzo, Kisoi Munyao, Richard Makenga, Stephen Mule and Katatha Maweu told the Jubilee alliance to keep off Makueni Senate seat.

Other leaders included Makueni Women Representative Rose Museo, TIP leader Kalembe Ndile, former Makueni MP Peter Maundu and other local leaders. The leaders were speaking at Malivani AIC Boarding Primary School in Makueni constituency during a funds drive to construct a dormitory razed down last month.

“I want to announce to the country that the late Mutula’s daughter Kethi is the CORD candidate,” said Mr Muthama adding that Ms Nduku Kilonzo’s purported entry in the race was a scheme by Jubilee to confuse Makueni voters.

Mbooni MP Kisoi Munyao said Kethi had accepted to contest the seat. He said: “We have already concluded the issue of Kethi contesting the seat.”

Kaiti MP Richard Makenga, said the Makueni leadership had resolved to unanimously rally behind the lawyer to succeed her late father. MP Rose Museo urged women to support Kethi to  increase women representation.

Matungulu MP Stephen Mule encouraged Makueni residents to honour the late Mutula by electing his daughter to the Senate. Muthama also faulted the Government over the Class One laptop project terming it a non-priority.

“How do you buy laptops for children who have no classrooms?” he posed. He asked the Government to direct resources towards construction of infrastructure in schools, employ more teachers, and pay them well.

He said leaders criticising the Government should not be mistaken for  advocating rights of their constituents.