Photo Courtesy PD

A declaration by Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka that the vote-rich Mt Kenya region owes him a political debt has attracted mixed reactions.

Kalonzo, who spoke in Mombasa over the weekend, called on the Mt Kenya vote bloc to pay-back for his support of retired President Kibaki during his final term. 

Mt Kenya region has been of interest to presidential candidates hoping to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta once his term ends next year.

Speaking to People Daily, Makueni MP Daniel Maanzo said it would only be fair if Mt Kenya pays back for the good gesture Kalonzo extended to them in the past.

“We have helped Raila for 10 years, we helped Moi for 20 years and Kibaki 10 years. These are 40 years of sacrifice and now it’s their time to pay-back.”

Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua who is campaigning for presidency on a development platform dismissed Kalonzo’s take saying that the region owes no one a political debt. 

Mutua, who served as a government spokesman in Kibaki administration, says he stands a better chance of winning the hearts of Mt Kenya region people than any other presidential candidate wishing to succeed Uhuru.

“Mt Kenya has no political debt. I am the only candidate apart from Ruto, who can garner support in Mt Kenya. The people of that region are wary of people who cannot be relied on,” said Mutua.

And for Maanzo, Kalonzo unlike his competitors who are pegging their campaign wishes to economy, he will be telling Kenyans to elect him for peace and unity of a Nation.  

Kalonzo hinted that he will seek  to undo deputy president  William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga’s influence when he tours the regions in the coming months maintaining he is the best bet for the 2022 presidency.

According to Chama Cha Uzalendo secretary general Phillippe Sadja, the issue of political debt is an unrealistic fallacy. “ The political debt narrative is an issue that I call “a bad strategy,” for any presidential candidate to use to convince voters,” said Sadja. By Mutuku Mwangangi, People Daily

Former Defence Minister Elias Kwandikwa working at his parliamentary office. Photo Muungwana Blog

Tanzania’s Defense and National Service Minister Elias Kwandikwa died on Monday night in Dar es Salaam, the office of the president said on Tuesday.

“We have lost an important person whose contribution in the public service will not be forgotten. He was a strong leader who was implementing his duties in accordance with the law and regulations,” the presidency said in a statement, with no mention of the cause of death.

Kwandikwa, 55, has become the first high-ranking official in Tanzania to die since President Samia Suluhu Hassan assumed power in March following the death of her predecessor John Magufuli.

The death of Kwandikwa is a setback to the government as the country is working to defend its territorial integrity since the outbreak of violent insurgency in Mozambique.

The president sent a message of condolences to Gen. Venance Mabeyo, chief of Tanzania’s Defense Forces, over the death of Kwandikwa.

Stargomena Tax, executive secretary of the Southern African Development Community, said the late minister will be remembered for his immense contribution in dealing with violent extremism in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique.

“We have received with great sadness the news of his passing, may the almighty God rest his soul in eternal peace” she tweeted.

Kwandikwa, who was a member of parliament for the Ushetu constituency in the impoverished Shinyanga region, was born on July 1, 1966. He had also worked as deputy minister of works, transport and communications since October 2017. - Kizito Makoye, Anadolu Agency