UDA Chairman Johnson Muthama has stated that he would not pretend to work with Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua in the Kenya Kwanza coalition unless he repents and ask for forgiveness over the misuse of county funds.
Speaking exclusively to Kenyans.co.ke on Wednesday, May 11, the former Machakos Senator noted that Mutua had not addressed governance issues that had been raised over the past nine years.
Muthama explained that he was a defender of proper utilization of funds and would not engage in what he termed as 'cosmetic politics' just because Mutua joined hands with Deputy President William Ruto's coalition.
"I have had differences with Mutua for the last 9 years about governance in terms of utilization of public funds. I have always been against the squandering of public funds which he has never rectified as of yesterday. I am a principled person and I could not see why I could compromise on my beliefs.
“There are many things that I need to put together with Mutua before applying that cosmetic behaviour of 'here we are with Mutua and we can work together'. It cannot take that shortcut. It has to be done in detail where he has to substantiate why there have been no services for Machakos people.
Muthama made the revelations to Kenyans.co.ke after a section of his supporters noted his conspicuous absence at Mutua's unveiling in Tala, Machakos County. The rally was presided by Ruto on Wednesday, May 10.
During the press conference where the Pamoja Africa Alliance (PAA) party leader Amason Kingi was unveiled, Muthama kept a low profile behind the party honchos - and declined to speak when the DP asked him to make a few remarks.
Additionally, he stated that he would only work with the governor only if he apologised and pointed out corruption loopholes in the county.
He explained that his demands would help him address the challenges of corruption in the county in the event that he was elected as the county boss in the upcoming polls.
"If we are going to work together, then, what is it that he is going to tell people. Is he going to repent and apologise to Machakos people? That is the way I may want to go."
On whether the governor's move to Kenya Kwanza was a major boost for the Ruto-led-coalition, the former Senator stated that his impact would be better judged by the public after the August 9 polls.
"That is for Kenyans to measure," he stated.
The Muthama-Mutua rivalry is the latest headache that the presidential candidates on both sides of the coalition have faced in their bid to establish a winning team in the upcoming General Election.
The Kenya Kwanza coalition has managed to resolve most of the differences in the background without much public discourse on the same.
However, Azimio has faced a more open discussion that have seen senior ranking members of the coalition openly display their differences - particularly on zoning and the running mate selection process.
Mutua's exit from Azimio was on the zoning question and he announced that the Kenya kwanza had agreed to allow his candidates to compete in all levels except at the presidential level.
In Machakos, the governor's party, Maendeleo Chap Chap, has fielded Francis Maliti as its gubernatorial candidate who will face off with Muthama who is running on a UDA ticket.
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