A show of political defiance in the backyard of National Super Alliance (Nasa) presidential running mate Kalonzo Musyoka has been manifested by the overwhelming win of two governors elect whom Kalonzo openly campaigned against.
Win of Kitui governor and former Lands Cabinet Secretary Charity Kaluki Ngilu on a National Rainbow Coalition (Narc) ticket and re-election of Machakos governor Alfred Mutua has put into question Musyoka’s grip in the wider Eastern region.
The win for Ngilu and Mutua is seen as big loss on the influence the Nasa co-principal commands in his backyard. Mutua trounced Wavinya Ndeti of Nasa who the coalition supremo forces led by Kalonzo and former Machakos senator Johnstone Muthama were fronting against Mutua.
During the campaigns, Musyoka is on record saying he would campaign for his Wiper party nominees for various seats including the Kitui governorship which Ngilu sought on a Narc ticket against Wiper Party candidate now Kitui Governor Julius Malombe.
On the other hand, Ngilu campaigned for Musyoka, her long time political rival and accompanied the Nasa principals across the country but she survived bitter political rivalry on the ground.
In Makueni, governor Kibutha Kibwana retained his seat on a Muungano Party, an affiliate of Nasa just as Wiper party.
“I am happy we are all speaking in one voice as a community, but Wiper needs numbers in national and county assemblies and therefore Mrs Ngilu being in a party that is in competition with us must appreciate that. Nasa is going to win this election but I don’t want to be a deputy president without governors and foot soldiers in both county and national assemblies to implement our agenda.”
Musyoka said addressing a rally at Musila grounds in Mwingi in June while advocating for a six piece vote. Similarly, Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya who vied on a Jubilee ticket after defecting from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) defied all odds to retain his seat against his closest competitor Chirau Ali Mwakwere.
Besides Mombasa and Kilifi counties where incumbent governors Ali Hassan Joho and Amason Kingi aligned to Nasa managed to retain their seats, they failed to deliver to Nasa.
Instead, Jubilee made significant in roads to both swing battle grounds and Nasa strongholds notably in the wider Western region, Kisii and Nyamira.
