Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti Speaking at a Wiper function in Machakos. Photo Courtesy . 
By Ryan Mumo
Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti has broken her silence on why she skipped President William Ruto’s recent tour of the county, offering a strongly-worded defence of the Kamba community and Wiper leader Dr. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka.
Speaking in Kikuumini, Makueni County yesterday, Wavinya accused President Ruto of repeatedly disrespecting the Kamba people during his visit to Ukambani, arguing that his remarks amounted to direct insults on their identity and leadership.
Wavinya said that mocking Kalonzo Musyoka was equivalent to mocking the entire Kamba community, noting that Kalonzo is widely regarded as a father figure among the people of Ukambani.
“If you tell a child that their father is foolish, then you are calling the whole family foolish,” she remarked, adding that the President’s tone in Ukambani was unbecoming of a national leader.
The Governor further stated that Kalonzo, unlike the President, would never travel to Ruto’s home turf and use abusive language.
“The Kalonzo I know fears God. He would never go to Sugoi to insult the President,” she said.
Wavinya listed two main reasons for snubbing the President’s Machakos visit.
First, she said she had a longstanding commitment to attend a ceremony hosted by her spiritual father, Pastor Ezekiel, an event she described as non-negotiable.
Second, she insisted she could not publicly appear alongside a leader who was “abusing her political father,” arguing that the meeting would be meaningless under such circumstances. “What would we sit down and discuss with someone who insults our leader?” she posed.
Wavinya also dismissed claims that Kalonzo’s calm and diplomatic nature should be mistaken for weakness, warning that despising such a leader is what fuels political upsets.
“Kamba people say a liver chokes because it has been despised. The same Kalonzo they are underrating will dethrone them,” she declared.
She reminded the President that respect is a two-way street, asserting that even though Ruto is the Head of State, he owes communities dignity. “We worship a living God. If you abuse my community, then as a daughter of this community, I have no business with you,” she said.
Wavinya affirmed Ukambani’s loyalty to Kalonzo Musyoka, describing him as both a community and national leader. She recalled accompanying him to Bondo to condole with Mama Ida Odinga, noting that leaders from across the country have already embraced him.
“Your Excellency Kalonzo Musyoka, Ukambani is yours. And by the grace of God, you will emerge as the victor,” she concluded.
