By Mutuku Mwangangi
Maendeleo Chap Chap party leader Alfred Mutua has cautioned Kenyans against being herded in tribal blocs ahead of the 2022 General Election.
Addressing a press conference at his Mavoko office on Sunday, June 21, Dr. Mutua urged Kenyans to choose the country's leaders based on their ability and vision rather than their ethnicity.
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"Kenya needs politics and political parties based on ideologies and not tribal affiliations. We need to elect presidents and other leaders based on their vision and ability. Poverty does not discriminate on tribal lines," Dr. Mutua said.
The Machakos governor, who has already declared that he will gun for the presidency in 2022, implored Kenyans to resist leaders keen on herding communities in ethnic voting blocs for political gain.
"We have to force a radical shift in the way we see each other politically. It is quite laughable and indicator of how primitive our politics are that leaders can be rewarded and invited to the table not based on their ideology, previous work or ability but because of their tribes and the tribal bloc," he said.
Mutua's sentiments come in the wake of intensified political realignments across the country ahead of the 2022 General Election.
Last week, Mutua's political rival in Ukambani, Wiper Democratic Movement leader Kalonzo Musyoka signed a cooperation deal with the ruling party, Jubilee.
But the Wiper leader had already been working closely with President Uhuru Kenyatta since National Super Alliance's defeat in the two presidential elections held in 2017.
Last weekend, a host of Ukambani politicians allied to Kalonzo convened a press conference in Machakos town where they endorsed Kalonzo's move to work with Jubilee.
In defending Kalonzo's move, the leaders said the Wiper Leader's move to work with Jubilee was not intended to secure a government job.
"For the avoidance of doubt, our leader is not looking for a government job. He is keen and resolute about leading this country alongside other like-minded leaders," said Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua.
But without making specific reference to Kalonzo's move, Mutua said it was affiliations of such nature which deny opportunities to other deserving Kenyans from smaller communities from ascending to the presidential office.
"Regardless of how smart and life-changing you are, if you are from the smaller tribe, the odds of being the President of Kenya are stacked against you," said Mutua.
