Former United Democratic Alliance (UDA) chairman Johnstone Muthama on Monday, April 10, revealed that he would be traveling outside the country at the time President William Ruto would tour the Ukambani region on April 16, 2023.
While condoling with the family of Nguu Masumba MCA Daniel Musau (following the loss of his mother) at Mweini in Makueni County, Muthama noted that he did not have a problem welcoming the president during his tour but would be away on a government assignment.
The former UDA chairman did not, however, reveal when he would be returning to the country.
"I asked when the burial will be held and I was told it will be on April 15, 2023. I told Musau that if it's on the 15th I will not be able to attend.
"I am travelling outside the country on Wednesday, April 12 and I will not even be around to welcome Ruto to Machakos on Sunday, April 16.
"I don't have a problem not welcoming the president to Ukambani since I am not a greedy person," he stated much to the applause of the crowd.
The sentiments from Muthama came two days after reports indicated that there was friction between him and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Dr Alfred Mutua on who would welcome the president to Ukambani.
Officials drawn from Maendeleo Chap Chap (MCC) and UDA were reported to hold parallel meetings to plan how to host the president - as supremacy showdown looms.
"We have been meeting to discuss issues affecting our region, in view of the new political reality, and how we can rally the community to reciprocate the President’s gesture of giving Kambas a stake in his government,’’ Kibwezi West lawmaker Mwengi Mutuse stated.
The MP noted that Mutua is the senior leader in the region, hence the most suitable politician to welcome the head of state in the region.
UDA politicians, on the other hand, Vincent Musyoka, UDA’s national organising secretary, noted that the ruling party ought to be the one receiving President Ruto.
"President Ruto's party is UDA, in which I'm the national organising secretary. How can I abdicate my role in the party and surrender my position in favour of Maendeleo Chap Chap which never believed in a William Ruto presidency in the first place?" he posed.
