Muthama Makes a Political U-turn

In an unexpected turn of events, outgoing Machakos senator, one of Raila Odinga’s right hand men, says he is ready to work with Machakos governor Alfred Mutua.

Muthama said he is willing to back and work with Governor Alfred Mutua in his second term in office.

The two developed political hostility between 2013 and 2017. Muthama declined to defend his seat, saying that he was not willing to be the Machakos senator as long Mutua and Wiper’s Wavinya Ndeti were the only candidates contesting for the Machakos governor seat.

Their rivalry was so deep that the two have not met eye-to-eye for a few years now.

Muthama now says he is behind Mutua, as long as he keeps the promise of taking care of poor people’s interests in Machakos county.

“My heart goes out to low income earners and small traders who often face tax exploitation. I want to send this message to him. All I demand of his government is to ensure vegetable traders are charged KSh 200 per year and boda boda riders KSh 500 per year in taxes,” said Muthama.

He further asked Mutua to adhered to the tax relief promises he made during his campaigns.

“I will allow Mutua to serve his final term comfortably only if he adheres to this simple requirement but if he fails to do this, I will take him to court like I did during my time as the county’s senator,” added Mutua.

Mutua in a statement welcomed Muthama’s and commended him for choosing to put political differences aside, for the interest of his people. He invited him for a talk to chat a way forward for the people of Machakos.

“Muthama is pushing an agenda of empowering poor people just like I have been doing by banning taxes on all small scale traders in the county, I want to welcome his ideas since I cannot work alone,” said Mutua.

“I want to thank Senator Muthama for pledging to support me and I welcome him for a cup of tea we discuss the way forward of our great county,” said Mutua.

Muthama and Mutua were in different political factions, with Mutua throwing his weight behind President Uhuru, while Muthama was one of the chief campaigners for opposition candidate Raila Odinga.