An online campaign to have Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana run for the presidency in 2022 has gained traction, with his supporters vowing to force the county boss to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta.
However, the governor has refused to be dragged into the 2022 succession politics.He reiterated his commitment to serving Makueni people as a governor, at least in the meantime.
“In my last term, I have pledged to work on the county agenda to my last day in office. That is my duty. That is our common work.
Prof Kibwana had triggered an online conversation about his life after public office after publishing a photo which seemed to suggest he was retiring from politics.
“Public life is a life of service; it is missionary work. In Makueni we listen to one another so that we can build consensus on how we want to develop. I enjoy sitting, talking and walking with our people. When I leave public life, I will dearly miss this aspect of my public political life,” reads the caption accompanying the photo.
#CorridorsOfPower: Makueni governor Kivutha Kibwana as president deputised by UNCTAD secretary general Mukhisa Kituyi. This is the thinking of a group of Kenyans who believe it's time to redeem Kenya's political leadership in 2022 https://t.co/ClGrubXKbk
— The Star, Kenya (@TheStarKenya) October 8, 2018
his did not go down well with many of the governor’s followers at home and away, who do not seem prepared to imagine life without him in politics.
Speaking at a rally at Kasikeu market three months ago, Deputy Governor Adelina Mwau and Kasikeu MCA Tangai Munari ruffled feathers when they suggested that the Kamba community should rally behind Prof Kibwana so that he can succeed President Kenyatta.
The talk was hurriedly stifled as it was seen as a direct affront to Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka who is expected to bank on the community’s support in his quest for the presidency.
The second-term governor has impressed Kenyans with his humility and commitment to serving the electorate, especially after turning around the fortunes of the county which was marred with wrangles and underdevelopment in his first term.
Some political commentators see the 64-year-old law professor as a cut above his peers and have joined those who see better days ahead for the governor who was once an adviser to President Mwai Kibaki.
Through an online campaign with the hashtag #Apende Asipende Movement, those wishing the governor well have vowed to install him as the President of Kenya in 2022, whether by the vote or by force.
https://twitter.com/KTNNews/status/1049190308666335232
“Dear Governor Kibwana, kindly delete ‘When I leave public life’ because you are not leaving it anytime soon. We are going to make you the President of the Republic of Kenya upende usipende (whether you like it or not). Ikishindikana (if this doesn’t work out) we will amend the Constitution so that you serve as governor for life,” wrote Augustus Mutemi Mbila.
https://twitter.com/WanjikuRevolt/status/1048884244616032257
The campaign has, however, angered some of Mr Musyoka’s allies who see it as a ploy to spread the Kamba voting bloc thin to the advantage of his opponents, including Deputy President William Ruto.
His sentiments have set clear the heated air on politics of succession in which Kenyans viewed him as the best candidate to replace President Uhuru Kenyatta in the year 2022. This after driving Makueni through a number of successful projects .
Kenyans invested him to replace this country which raised a lot eyebrows about the deputy president and the Kamba political bloc which is currently being led by Mr . Kalonzo Musyoka who was Raila Odinga’s running mate in the 2018, Presidential election which Jubilee won after a repeat presidential election after the nullification of the election results by the supreme court.
Kivutha Kibwana has rather resolved in serving the people of Makueni during his second term as the governor which is most likely his last term.
He might out even move out of active politics after finishing his term with Makueni county.