By Joshua Cheloti

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr has distanced himself from anti-government political rallies that the opposition has been organizing for the last two weeks.

The county boss elected on a Wiper Party ticket says he has no plans of being part of the rallies that the opposition has branded ‘public consultations’.

Speaking during an interview on K24 TV on January 31, 2023, the county boss noted that he will only participate in the Azimio coalition rallies once his county gets development projects that Nyanza region got during the reign of former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s reign.

“I will not go to demonstrations until we get good roads, airports and other projects which Nyanza region got from former president Uhuru Kenyatta’s government,” said Kilonzo Jnr.

The Makueni Governor is serving his first term, having been elected on a Wiper Party ticket – a member of the Azimio Coalition, during the August 9 general election.

But despite his party leader Kalonzo Musyoka having actively been involved in the rallies, Kilonzo Jnr has been among the key figures missing in action.

His latest declaration could signal his willingness to work with the government of the day for the benefit of his locals.

There has been a perception that the Nyanza region was the biggest beneficiary since Uhuru agreed to work together with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in the infamous March 8, 2018 handshake.

Uhuru and Raila shook hands after months of political turmoil that resulted from the controversial repeat presidential election after the Supreme Court nullified the results.

The ODM leader, then a National Super Alliance presidential candidate boycotted the repeat poll and went further to swear in himself as the ‘people’s president.’

After successfully pushing for the handshake, there has been a public perception that Raila is looking for a similar outcome with his latest anti-government rallies.

He is however on record saying he was not interested in a handshake.