Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti with her Deputy Francis Mwangangi in a Past Function. File Photo. 
By Andrew Mbuva
Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti today deliberately avoided attending President William Ruto’s tour of the county, citing lack of official invitation and concerns over respect for local leadership.
Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi explained that recent remarks by President Ruto in Makueni, where he described some leaders as having “no agenda and brains,” were seen as a direct insult to the Kamba community and its leadership.
Speaking at Kyamutheke Vocational Training Institute, where he represented Governor Ndeti during the launch of an upcycling project about 10 kilometers from Machakos town, Mwangangi defended their absence from the President’s event.
“We did not wish to disrespect the President by walking away from his meetings, but neither would we tolerate public abuse of our leader, Kalonzo Musyoka,” he said.
Mwangangi stressed that neither he, Governor Ndeti, nor any Wiper leader would attend events where they are not accorded respect. “The Head of State is supposed to be a symbol of unity, not a person who abuses fellow leaders in front of their electorate,” he cautioned.
He added that the Kamba community and its leaders deserve maximum respect, particularly Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
The upcycling project launched at Kyamutheke Vocational Training Institute is a joint initiative between the institute and Bamburi Cement Company. Mwangangi was accompanied to the event by ministers Dr. Consolata Mutisya and Sharon Mutisya, along with other senior county officials.
