Ukambani leaders and professionals have pledged to back Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga’s presidential bid in the upcoming elections.
This comes after discussions between Governors Alfred Mutua (Machakos), Charity Kaluki Ngilu (Kitui), and Kivutha Kibwana Governor Makueni and Chairman South Eastern Kenya Economic Bloc SEKEB to ensure that the Kamba vote goes entirely to Azimio La Umoja.
“We are happy to announce that we now have a clear road map informed by reality on the ground and scientific interventions,” said the governors.
According to the governors, they identified Azimio la Umoja as the most reliable vehicle for movement bringing people together for shared prosperity to all Kenyans.
“Their manifesto is geared towards this aspiration and we as the Kamba Nation Professionals and leaders identify with it,” they said.
The trio said the community must be in the next Government having been in the cold for the last 10 years.
“During the last 10 years, the Kamba nation has not been adequately represented in the national government. As a result, we have missed out on critical development projects from the national government. This has slowed down efforts to fight poverty,” said the leaders.
The governors also claimed that Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka is demanding billions of shillings to join the Azimio la Umoja Movement.
“We are ready to work with whoever is willing to change the lives of Kenyans, but there are some people who have decided to sit on the fence and we know they are bargaining for money. We know they have asked for Sh3 billion to sell our Kamba community for their own interests, (Kuna wale wengine ambao wame sema hao wata kaa kando kwanza wangojee,wajipange wafikirie alafu wata amua,sisi tunajua sio kando wangajoea ati wanafikiria ama mawazo imewazidia ama ni kupanga wana panga mikakati,apana ni pesa wana ngojea,sisi tayari tunajua ya kwamba wameitisha billioni tatu ,na wale wame itshwa wame tuambia,ni kama kuuza kabila la ukmba ndio wao binafsi wapate hela,)” said Mutua.
The Wiper leader has on several occasions ruled out supporting Odinga for the third time saying it’s high time to reciprocate by supporting him.
The three governors said the Kamba community will no longer be in the opposition yet they have enough numbers to influence the outcome of an election.
“The Ukambani professionals have said a time has reached for our people to have a good life. We fought for our people to have a good life. We fought for democracy to benefit from the fruits of devolution,” Mutua said.
Kibwana observed that the tough conditions held by the OKA chief before joining Azimio were dangerous for the posterity of the community.