Cracks have started emerging in the Kenya Kwanza coalition after supporters of Deputy President William Ruto and those of governor Alfred Mutua clashed in Makindu, Makueni County.
Confrontations started after two Kibwezi West parliamentary aspirants, who do not see eye-to-eye and belong to different parties, but are members of the Kenya Kwanza faction, traded accusations over interference by the opposing sides on Wednesday, May 2022.
Mutua's Maendeleo Chap Chap endorsed lawyer Mwengi Mutuse for the seat while the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) is backing politician James Mbaluka.
On Wednesday, during a campaign rally convened by Mbaluka, supporters of Maendeleo Chap Chap stormed the venue and started chasing him and his supporters away.
Mbaluka pointed an accusing finger at Maendeleo Chap Chap and specifically, Mutuse, whom he alleged had hired goons to disrupt his campaign yet they are both supporting Deputy President William Ruto.
Police had to intervene after the two sides failed to calm down. The officers were forced to disperse the violent groups and continue holding vigilance while Mbaluka addressed the gathering.
Mbaluka further accused Mutuse of intolerance and hiring goons to disrupt his opponents' meetings. Leaders from the area advised the two to campaign peacefully since they are supporting DP Ruto.
They also advised Mutuse to hold separate rallies in the region, opining that since this is a campaign season, everyone should be allowed to freely sell his/her manifesto without disruption and violence.
Meanwhile, UDA chairman, Johnson Muthama, is also seen as part of the faction causing divisions in Kenya Kwanza after he blatantly refused to cooperate and work with governor Mutua.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke during an interview, the former Machakos Senator stated that he would not pretend to work with the Machakos governor unless he asks for forgiveness over the misuse of county funds.
The former Machakos Senator noted that Mutua had not addressed governance issues that had been raised over the past nine years.
Muthama stated that he supports sound utilization of public funds and he would not engage in what he termed as 'cosmetic politics' simply because Mutua has joined the Kenya Kwanza 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," he stated.
