Kalonzo Musyoka snubs President Uhuru's Ukambani tour r

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka. PHOTO: FILE MACHAKOS: Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka will not be attending any of President Uhuru Kenyatta's events in Ukambani despite his promise earlier that he will be welcoming the president to the region. President Kenyatta Friday toured parts of Machakos County where Kalonzo was missing in action even as Governor Alfred Mutua used the occasion to castigate the former vice president for underdevelopment in the region. The Standard confirmed that Kalonzo decided to skip the president's tour because he had been kept in the dark over the president's programme and he had not received an official invitation from statehouse. "I can confirm that he (Kalonzo) will not attend any of the president's events in Ukambani. That was a decision reached by elected members of the party when they met in Nairobi on Thursday," said Dr Temi Mutia, who is the deputy CEO of Cord secretariat. Dr Temi said that Kalonzo met the elected MPs on Thursday and asked them their views on whether to or not to attend the events after being "kept in the dark." "It was a unanimous decision that he should not attend. So he is not attending Machakos or Kitui," Dr Temi stated. The official however said that other members of the party like Kitui Senator and Wiper chairman David Musila and a section of the MPs will attend the events to represent the party leader. 

David Musila and a section of the MPs will attend the events to represent the party leader. READ MORE Politicians' back and forth over IEBC doesn't augur well for country Leaders laud President Uhuru’s move on IEBC impasse UDF stalwarts in Kakamega won't join Jubilee Party Dr Temi rubbished widely circulating claims that Kalonzo and Kitui governor Dr Julius Malombe had been provided with two choppers to facilitate their movements during the president's tour which includes the launch of construction works for Kibwezi – Kitui road at Mutomo Saturday. Addressing a press conference at parliament buildings on Friday, Musila who was flanked by Minority Leader in the National Assembly Francis Nyenze said there was no clear communication on the president's visit which had informed the decision by their party leader to keep off. "As elected leaders we have no information at all (regarding the president's programme). Tunaskia tu uvumi kwamba raisi atakuwa hapa na pale (All we hear are rumours that the president will be visiting different places," Musila lamented, adding that Kalonzo cannot chase the president blindly. He however said that the Wiper party welcomes the president in Ukambani but reminded the head of the state to strictly stick to development issues, warning that the region is firmly a Wiper zone and in Cord. "We are happy he will be launching the Kibwezi – Kitui road because that will be the beginning of crucial development in Kitui County. Those are the issues we want to hear. If it is politics then it will be hard (for him)," Musila noted. A section of Wiper leaders however feet that Kalonzo should not have skipped the presidential tour. "We expect as a senior figure in Ukambani politics, Kalonzo should join hands with other leaders in this development agenda. My expectation is that he will keep his word and attend. His presence will be very significant," Kisoi Munyao, Mbooni MP said. The president however has rescheduled his tour of Makueni county "due to official engagements in Burundi" on Monday, The Standard on Saturday learnt. According to an earlier itinerary, President Kenyatta was supposed to complete his tour of Ukambani in Makueni County the whole day on Monday. Mr Munyao said that the president held a meeting with all MPs from Makueni County and explained his cancellation of the tour.
Read more at: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2000204735/kalonzo-snub