Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua on Friday asked the Ukambani region, which has recently seen fresh inroads by President William Ruto ’s allies, to partake in the money being splashed by Kenya Kwanza Alliance politicians, but asked them not to be swayed by it.
Speaking just a day after Deputy President Kithure Kindiki led an empowerment drive in the region, Mr Musyoka and Mr Gachagua wore a brave face as they campaigned in Makueni County at a time President William Ruto drew blood as the battle for the Ukambani region’s 2 million votes intensified.
The opposition politicians trained their guns on women and youth empowerment programmes which are at the centre of ongoing campaigns by allies of President Ruto as they addressed roadside rallies at Malili, Salama, Sultan, Emali, Makindu, Kibwezi and Kambu townships.
Mr Musyoka and Mr Gachagua, the Democracy for Citizens Party leader, also accused President Ruto of using red tape to frustrate a planned expansion of the Mombasa-Nairobi highway by an American company as he characterized President Ruto’s allies in the region as traitors who deserve to be punished at the ballot.
“President Ruto should explain the source of the millions of shillings he is splashing around in the name of women empowerment. This is corruption through the backdoor. That is public funds. Take the money when they bring it around,” Mr Musyoka said at Malili Township.
"Collect the money but do not take it home because it has Gen Z blood. Use it to buy yourself alcohol in town. You can also use it to settle your shylock debt. Mr Yes Sir who is delivering the money is the one who was sent to kill children," Mr Gachagua said.
At Emali Township, Mr Gachagua called on the Ukambani voting bloc to lock out President Ruto from the region by rallying behind Mr Musyoka and his allies in the 2027 General Election as he pledged a robust opposition team that has the Mount Kenya and the Ukambani voting blocs.
“For Kalonzo to proceed he must be respected at home. If you want a leader to succeed you should give him enough lieutenants,” the former deputy president said.
Mr Gachagua called on the Ukambani voting bloc to be wary of a scheme by President Ruto to weaken the opposition.
As the opposition caravan snaked through townships along the Mombasa-Nairobi highway, Mr Musyoka created the impression that he was the opposition’s best bet to tackle President Ruto in the 2027 General Election as the team played down a power play which had threatened the opposition camp.
“Kalonzo is not Raila Odinga whose votes are easily stolen,” he said.
“Mr Musyoka has made the Kamba community very valuable. We are being courted by everybody,” he said.
“The Kamba community has never been closer to the presidency as is the case this time round. We should punish whoever wants to spoil that chance,” Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua said.
The whistle stop tours by the opposition team came against the backdrop of a growing interest in the Ukambani region by President Ruto’s allies. They have been crisscrossing the Ukambani region ahead of his tour of the region which is scheduled for later this month have splashed millions of shillings in Kitui, Machakos and Makueni counties in fundraisers meant to empower women and youth groups.
A star-studded team led by the National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula pitched a tent at Migwani Township in Kitui County and Machakos Town Friday.
