Machakos County Governor Alfred Mutua on Wednesday, May 11 dismisses United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party Chairman Johnstone Muthama’s earlier comments about his unwillingness to work with him saying they are “sideshows.”
Muthama, had mentioned his reservations about working with Mutua saying the two have been the longest political rivals.
Mutua however, trivialized Muthama’s statements, saying his intention for joining Kenya Kwanza is to support Deputy President William Ruto’s presidential bid and not to compete with Muthama.
He clarified that his Monday, May 9 move was to the alliance and not to the UDA party, which Muthama chairs. Adding that there was no need for a rift.
“Johnstone Muthama is the Chairman of UDA; I am not in UDA, hio ni mambo ya UDA, I am in Kenya Kwanza with Ruto, Mudavadi and others,” Mutua said.
“I will not be drawn into sideshows, the main show for me is getting votes for one William Ruto, getting the people of Ukamabani and from every corner of the country to understand that the mistakes of 60 years of the country cannot be repeated.” He added.
Furthermore, the UDA chairperson, failed to attend the Tuesday, May 10 rally in the county which was graced by governor Mutua after he was welcomed to the alliance.
In his defence, he said failure to attend the rally was due to the long-lived rivalry in the political arena between him and the Maendeleo Chap Chap boss. He further called upon governor Mutua to seek reconciliation and ask for his forgiveness.
“Niliamua kutohudhuria mkutano ya jana kwa sababu ya mambo fulani. Kwanza mimi na Mutua tuna shida na si shida ya kibinafsi, ni shida ya uongozi,” Muthana said.
“Ikiwa tutakaa na yeye na kuzungumza na akubali kwenda mbele ya watu wa Machakos na kusema haya ni ya kweli na naomba msamaha, hapo nitatembea na Mutua,” he added.
In response, Dr Mutua said that he was more concerned with drumming up support for UDA’s Presidential flag bearer William Ruto ahead of the August 9, polls and not dealing with Muthama’s issues.