Politician Justus Manyara says Muungano has never had any difference with Governor Lenku, says the narrative has been orchestrated by its opponents for political expediency
By Jonathan Teikan
Ewuaso Oonkidong’i Ward representative Justus Ngusur, popularly known as ‘Enteke’ has dispelled speculations that Muungano grouping led by Kajiado West MP George Sunkuyia, has suffered a blow following his perceived new-found camaraderie with Governor Joseph ole Lenku.
The Muungano group has, until the recent past, been reportedly critical of the manner at which the county government affairs were being conducted, and was widely speculated to have plans to front former National Transport and Safety Authority director-general Francis Meja to contest for the gubernatorial seat against the incumbent.
On Monday, photos of the county lawmaker — a founder and a key pillar of the Muungano — posing with the governor, at the latter’s Kajiado town official residence, raised eyebrows.
The photos which were widely circulated on social media, sent tongues wagging, with some of the media commentators speculating that the move could be a precursor to the Muungano’s downfall.
They were perhaps reading from a narrative that former area MP aspirant Joseph ole Simel, a long-time Sunkuyia’s political nemesis, has been coalescing around the governor, and has since been wielding behind-the-scenes political influence on key government appointments, thus, putting the incumbent MP at loggerheads with the county boss.
Consequently, and going by the narrative, it is inconceivable how the MCA would support Ole Lenku and remain loyal to Muungano, thus insinuating that he could have perhaps ditched the group he founded.
If the aforementioned is true, the commentators say, then it would have an effect in weakening the group’s political base, to the advantage of the governor and Mr Simel.
Others, however, thought that the vocal politician, said to be harboring senatorial ambitions, has been sought after by the governor, with the promise of endorsing his candidature, clandestinely to deflate the group’s political influence in the area, thus ease his re-election bid.
In “justifying” the position, they argued that the governor recently visited the area, for “that very mission”. An argument that has been dismissed by Enteke’s erstwhile political competitor Justus ole Manyara, who said, “The governor’s visit [to Ewuaso Oonkidongí] was nothing unusual from his many visits to other parts of the county.”
Others still believed that the Jubilee party MCA has been seeking the governor’s “blessings” for the seat, hence the reason for his courtesy call to the governor on Monday.
He was accompanied by a high-powered delegation of influential elders from his ward, among them are the former councilor Julius ole Nkomeya, Mr Manyara, and a section of MCAs from Kajiado North sub-county. They were Robert Muoria (Ngong) and Nominated MCA Onesmas Ngongoyo.
However, speaking yesterday to the Kajiado Star at the County Assembly precincts, just before he got to a Budget Committee meeting, Enteke sought to clear the air regarding the agenda for the visit.
The vocal lawmaker said, “We discussed; development matters, unity, the Covid-19 pandemic scourge and other issues as on the smooth running of the county affairs.
“It was a delegation of free-will… Our sole purpose was to lobby support from the governor so as we can be able to distribute food and provide clean water for our people.”
On the issue of Muungano, he said the group remains firm, arguing that the “alleged” change of tune, in support of the governor, is in furtherance of their goal to unite the Kajiado West Constituency, and by extension the county as a whole.
He said the people they represent can only realize meaningful development, if all the leaders work harmoniously. He thus pledged to support Governor Lenku’s re-election bid, “in all ways as I can.”
But why was Ngongoyo and Muoria in attendance? Manyara told this publication, that “all” MCAs from the neighboring Kajiado North Constituency have since joined the Muungano group. Ngongoyo is eyeing to square out with incumbent MP Joseph Manje in the next election.
Manyara dismissed claims that the race for the Senate was discussed in the meeting, saying that it is “too early” to make such discussions, and furthermore
He also said the group has never had any known difference with the governor, noting that the narrative has only been orchestrated by their political opponents, to drive a wage between them and the governor for their political expediency.
He further revealed that the group has agreed to accompany the governor on his numerous development tours, across the county.
