Mutua launches Maendeleo Chap Chap Movement

By John Kioria

The political supremacy battle between former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua got a notch higher after Mutua officially launched the Maendeleo Chap Chap Movement.

Dubbed as a social movement, Mutua used the platform to launch a scathing attack on leaders he described as perpetuating poverty in Ukambani region.

Although Mutua insisted the movement was not political, political undertones emanating from the leaders present were the closest hint yet that Mutua would engage Kalonzo Musyoka in a no holds barred political duel.

The last two years have been characterized with incessant wars in the Lower Eastern region pitting Kalonzo Musyoka who is regarded the political kingpin of Ukambani region and Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua who is seen as seeking to wrestle political clout from Musyoka.

And while Mutua was elected on a Wiper Party ticket, a party led by Kalonzo Musyoka a co-principal in the opposition CORD, Mutua has been perceived to lean towards the Uhuru Kenyatta led Jubilee administration.

When Mutua launched sensitization rallies of his Mandeleo Chap Chap in the counties of Machakos, Kitui and Makueni, he ran into political headwinds with opposition from Kalonzo’s allies.

Mutua has the support of a score of Mps from the region led by Mwingi North Mp John Munuve while Kalonzo still enjoys political loyalty from most of the Mps led by Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama largely opposed to Mutua’s leadership.

The flexing of the political muscle today got murkier with Mutua officially launching the Maendeleo Chap Chap movement in Machakos.

Though dubbed a social movement, Mutua would use it to launch an attack on leaders whom he accused of perpetuating the culture of poverty in Ukambani.

Mutua would quickly point out that the movement with the slogan inawezekana na itawezekana would seek to inculcate the culture of politics based on development.

Adopting a conciliatory tone, the County Chief would also laud some of the key highlights of the Mandeleo Chap Chap movement in the county.

Mutua called on area residents to support the Movement and hold leaders to account for the development projects they initiate.

Even though he struggled to desist from direct political confrontations, his allies let the cat of the bag making it clear that they were considering other political options.

So will the Maendeleo Chap Chap movement succeed in keeping off politics and advocate for the wellbeing of the Akamba or are Kenyans looking at the single steps of forming yet another political party?