CS Malonza, Kitui South MP bury the hatchet

From right: CS Penina Malonza, Charlene Ruto and Kitui South MP Rachael Nyamai during a shoes donation event at Itumba primary school in Kitui County on June 5, 2024. [Philip Muasya, Standard]

East African Community, Asals, and Regional Development Cabinet Secretary Penina Malonza and Kitui South MP Rachael Nyamai have ended their difference and vowed to work together for the sake of locals.

In the recent past, the two leaders have been at loggerheads, occasionally clashing publicly in what many interpreted as supremacy battle. 

However on Monday and Tuesday, the two leaders held joint public events in Kitui South where they hosted Charlene Ruto, the daughter of President William Ruto, who was on a mission to donate shoes to primary school children through her Zero Barefoot Campaign.

At Itumba Primary School where Charlene first visited, the CS and the MP said that they had mended fences and resolved to work together for the sake of the community. They were optimistic that their unity will bring more development projects to the county from Kenya Kwanza government.

MP Nyamai who was elected on Jubilee ticket and has declared allegiance to President Ruto said that she has no problem working with Malonza, emphasizing that their unity will benefit the locals.

"The President has advised us to work together because we have a collective responsibility to serve the people, and that is what we have resolved to do," she said adding that Kenyans were already seeing the fruits of President Ruto's administration. 

The CS underscored the importance of unity among local leaders, saying this is key to development and social cohesion.

Addressing residents at her former primary school, Malonza denied having differences with local leaders, emphasising her commitment for a united county leadership in support of the Kenya Kwanza administration.

"A few differences here and there should not make us lose focus. All we want is to unite and support the government because that is the only way to reap maximum benefits from it," she said.

The shoe campaign targets 20 primary schools in Mutomo and Ikutha sub counties where Charlene donated more than 1,000 pairs of shoes to learners, mostly from underprivileged families.

The President’s daughter said that for every shoe, she will donate a seedling in line with the national greening campaign to plant 15 billion trees.