A war of words has erupted between Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse and Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr, with Mutuse accusing the governor of disrespecting the people of Kibwezi and failing to deliver tangible development despite overseeing multi-billion-shilling county budgets.
Speaking at Kisingo Secondary, a visibly agitated Mutuse challenged Governor Mutula to engage him directly rather than using public forums to attack his leadership.
“Let us respect each other as leaders. Governor Mutula, you receive Ksh 10 billion every year—when you come to Kibwezi, stop telling the people about me. Instead, tell them what you have done for them,” said Mutuse. “Hospitals under your watch have no drugs, water is devolved, and yet our people are thirsty. If you have a problem with Mwengi Mutuse, come face me, not the people of Kibwezi.”
Mutuse, not one to mince words, went further to question the governor’s legacy, pointing out that the people of Kibwezi had supported the Kilonzo family for decades.
“Kibwezi voted for your father, voted for you twice as senator, and now as governor, one family, four times! And yet you come here and label Emali as a hub of crime? You’re calling my people criminals? No sir, if you have an issue with me, face me. Don’t drag the people of Kibwezi into your political tantrums. They elected me to defend them. If you want a fight, here I am. I’ll deal with you,” he declared.
The MP also took credit for successfully lobbying for key development projects, including the Emali–Ukia road and the establishment of a Huduma Centre which he noted the governor had failed to secure during his decade-long tenure in the Senate.
“You’ve had three budgets now, yet you’re busy launching projects started by Professor Kibwana. When you come to Kibwezi, show us your scorecard. Tell us where our money goes. Don’t come here with recycled ribbon-cutting ceremonies and call it transformation,” said Mutuse. “If you want peace, respect the people of Kibwezi. Stop this sense of entitlement—it’s not hereditary.”
The heated rebuttal followed remarks by Governor Mutula over the weekend, during the burial of Garshon Mutisya, a businessman from Emali shot dead during the June 25 protests in Nguu Masumba. In his speech, Mutula accused Kibwezi West residents of making “poor political choices” by electing Mutuse in 2022 and urged them to vote him out in 2027.
Missed the story? Check it out below;
