MCA Kinanie/Mathatani Ward Francis Kavyu. He takes over as the new Machakos Assembly Minority Leader replacing Matuu MCA Judas Mbili Ndawa. Photo Courtesy Assembly. 
By Andrew Mbuva
A surprising spirit of reconciliation took center stage in the Machakos County Assembly on Wednesday morning, as the Maendeleo Chap Chap (MCC) party announced changes in its leadership lineup.
In a communication delivered by Speaker Ann Kiusya, Kinanie/Mathatani MCA Francis Kavyu was confirmed as the new Minority Leader, replacing Matuu MCA Judas Mbili Ndawa, who has held the position for the past three years. Mua Ward MCA Francis Ngunga will now serve as Kavyu’s deputy.
The announcement, which many expected to spark heated exchanges amid speculation of an impending impeachment motion against the Speaker, instead turned into a moment of rare unity. Leaders from both the Minority and Majority sides embraced the changes with reconciliatory remarks, calling for harmony in the House.
Outgoing Minority Leader Judas Mbili Ndawa struck a notably gracious tone, congratulating his successor and assuring colleagues of his continued loyalty to the party.
“I want to congratulate my brother Kavyu for being given the position of Minority Leader and Ngunga for taking up the role of Deputy. I also thank my party for the opportunity to serve for three years. That is not a short duration, and I am grateful. I will continue to remain loyal because I believe anyone elected to this House is capable of leading,” Ndawa said.
He further explained that his earlier disputes with the party, which saw him challenge leadership decisions in court, were now water under the bridge.
“This time the party has followed the right procedures. I went to court the first time because shortcuts were taken. But now, since the due process was followed, I am not going back to court,” he emphasized.
Ndawa also lauded Speaker Kiusya’s resilience during political storms, comparing her perseverance to that of a “strong mother” who withstood stones thrown her way. He urged both sides of the Assembly to sustain the peace and avoid divisive politics that, in his words, “risked setting the county on fire.”
Newly appointed Minority Leader Francis Kavyu echoed the reconciliatory spirit, commending his predecessor for his leadership and calling on colleagues to focus on service delivery.
“It is time we joined hands to serve the people of Machakos. I want to congratulate my former boss, Mbili Ndawa, for demonstrating leadership and for all of us agreeing to turn a new leaf. God did not send us here to fight or become enemies but to serve our people,” Kavyu said.
The tone of unity came as a surprise to many observers, given expectations that Majority Leader Nicholas Nzioka would table an impeachment motion against the Speaker during the sitting. The motion, however, was not introduced, signaling what insiders described as a possible truce.
With the leadership reshuffle settled and both sides pledging cooperation, the Machakos Assembly appears to have chosen dialogue over confrontation, setting the stage for a more collaborative final stretch of the current term.
