Johnstone Muthama should leave Alfred Mutua, his project, alone

Kenya: When Jesus was on earth, He did all sort of good things to make life better such as healing the sick, raising the dead, feeding people and casting out demons. Interestingly, the Pharisees were uncomfortable with His good deeds.

That’s the kind of picture Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama is trying to paint. It doesn’t make sense to stop a project that has already begun transforming the lives of Machakos people through employment. Muthama should know that thousands of Kenyans wish they were born in Machakos or that Dr Mutua was their governor.

As the President said, we need to look at the bigger picture. We should consider how many people, who have lived in poverty in Machakos,  will benefit from the modern shopping malls, affordable homes, university, hospitals, stadia, greenhouses and other things the project will offer.

Muthama should know that this is not a city for Mutua but for the people of Machakos and Kenya. Kenyans are happy because we seem to have shifted from politics of “Ngilu not shaking the hands with Kalonzo’’ to politics of “maendeleo kwanza”. When it comes to development, politics should never have a say. Mr Muthama, if you succeeded in stopping the launch, are there alternative jobs you would have offered those who are already working on the project?

{Ndolo Victor, Bungoma}

Johnstone Muthama is no doubt a seasoned politician. He is bold and abrasive. The senator is, however, losing the euphony of his political music fast and it is time he was told his song against Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua is off-key and could be better if muted. Dr Mutua’s development blueprint is enviable and should be emulated by other counties.

Machakos has attracted the attention of investors beyond Kenya because of Mutua’s promise that land is available for free for those interested in investing. This is a good strategy because eventually the land will bring much more than its estimated price. The populist guise of championing the interests of the Machakos residents is nothing but a decoy to make Mutua look bad in the eyes of the electorate. This is not the first time Muthama has engaged the governor in a bare-knuckled fight.

{Samson Mukalo, Limuru}

Congratulations are in order for Governor Alfred Mutua on the launch of Machakos City. Mutua seems to be one among very few who have understood the essence of devolution and service to the people. I can compare him only to Governor Cyprian Awiti who has also embarked on service delivery and improving living standards of his people. Mutua’s efforts should be a wake up call for other governors to remind them that five years is a short time and they may not deliver on their promises unless they start now.

{Philip Mbindyo, Ukwala}