Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua angered Members of Parliament (MPs) and residents of Nyeri County after he endorsed his preferred candidate in an upcoming by-election.
Dr Mutua further received backlash after he campaigned for his 2022 presidential bid during the bench-marking tour of the Central region county.
Speaking in Nyeri Town, the Machakos governor stated: "I am offering a clean, visionary and energetic leadership. Please rally behind Maendeleo Chap Chap (MCC). I will move the country forward."
Governor Mutahi Kahiga quickly set the record straight for his visiting counterpart, asserting that the region was fully supporting deputy president William Ruto for the presidency.
[caption caption="Governors Alfred Mutua and Mutahi Kahiga mingling with residents of Nyeri County"]
[/caption]
"I want to make it clear that the visit of my friend and counterpart Machakos Governor Dr Alfred Mutua was not about the presidency.
"We are behind DP William Ruto as far as 2022 politics is concerned. In fact what Mt Kenya is searching for is his running mate," Governor Kahiga stated.
Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua also treated Governor Mutua's sentiments with contempt warning the leader that Nyeri would not be used as a doormat for politicians with presidential ambitions.
"Nyeri should not be used as a launching pad for people who think they can be president. We already have our candidate who is the DP," he stated.
Martha Miano, a youth leader from Mathira constituency, however, defended the Machakos boss after the uproar springing from his statement.
"He did not even attack the Jubilee party but stated that he supports President Uhuru Kenyatta's administration and that he (Mutua) will be on the ballot in 2022," she defended.
Governor Mutua's spokesperson, Mutinda Mwanzia, noted that the uproar was unnecessary because the Governor was only doing something he had done countless times before.
"Dr Mutua has been campaigning everywhere and Nyeri is no exception. After completing his second term as governor he has set his eyes on the presidency His bid for the presidency is unstoppable," he explained.
[caption caption="Governor Mutua (centre) with Ruguru Ward aspirant J. S. Ndegwa visiting an elderly Nyeri resident Mzee Muchoki"]
[/caption]
