Former State House Chief of Staff Nzioka Speaking at ABC Kisovo Church in Kathiani Constituency, Machakos County on April 12, 2026. Photo by Andrew Mbuva. 
By Andrew Mbuva.
Former State House Chief of Staff Nzioka Waita has revealed that he received a direct call from President William Samoe Ruto, inviting him to State House for a meeting that touched on his political future and the development of Machakos County.
Speaking at ABC Kisovo Church in Kathiani Constituency, Machakos County on Sunday, Waita said the President questioned his renewed political activity after contesting the Machakos gubernatorial seat in 2022.
“I received a call from State House and was invited by the President. When I met him, he asked what I was seeking after running in 2022 and continuing to engage with the people,” said Waita.
Waita noted that he told the President that Machakos has been neglected in terms of development, pointing to stalled road projects that began during the tenure of former President Uhuru Kenyatta but were never completed. He also claimed that several projects initiated under former Governor Alfred Mutua have since stalled.
According to Waita, this reality informed his decision to align himself with the national government through the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), saying the move is aimed at accelerating development in the county.
“I want to work with the national government so I can bring development to the people of Machakos,” he emphasized.
He further urged leaders seeking elective positions to join parties that uphold fairness in nominations, singling out UDA as a party that offers credible and competitive primaries.
At the same time, Waita criticized other political parties for what he described as issuing direct tickets without due process, arguing that such practices lock out deserving aspirants.
In his address, he challenged residents of Kathiani to make a clear choice between “politics of empty talk” and tangible development, warning against being swayed by rhetoric.
He also dismissed personal attacks targeting his appearance and language, saying leadership should not be judged on such grounds.
“They say my ears are big, but it’s because I want to listen to the people. They say I am tall, but it’s because I want to see far,” he said.
Waita, who contested the Machakos governorship in 2022, has declared his intention to run again in 2027, pledging to traverse every part of the county to seek support and deliver a development-focused agenda.
