Former Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana has offered to mediate between Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. and Senator Daniel Maanzo as an escalating fallout between the two leaders threatens to deepen political divisions in Makueni ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Kibwana’s intervention follows a public confrontation between Governor Mutula and Senator Maanzo during a funeral ceremony in Kyamuoso, Ilima Ward, Kaiti Constituency, where the governor appeared to respond to remarks allegedly contained in a leaked audio recording that has sparked intense debate within Wiper Party circles.
The controversy first burst into the open during the burial of the mother of Bishop Jonathan Muthoka, the Deputy Majority Leader in the Makueni County Assembly and MCA for Ilima Ward. Speaking at the event attended by Senator Maanzo, Governor Mutula strongly condemned what he described as attacks on his family, declaring that no leader should drag family members into political disagreements.
The governor’s remarks were widely seen as a response to an alleged leaked audio clip circulating online in which Senator Maanzo is purportedly heard making disparaging remarks about Governor Mutula, First Lady Anita Mutula, Makueni Woman Representative Rose Museo, Wiper-nominated MCA Kanzala Kana and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
The authenticity of the recording has not been independently verified and Senator Maanzo has not publicly addressed the allegations.
Now, former Governor Kibwana has stepped into the dispute, urging both leaders to pursue reconciliation rather than allow the matter to escalate further.
Reflecting on his tenure as governor between 2013 and 2022, Kibwana recalled how the late Senator Mutula Kilonzo consistently sought to hold the county government accountable, even though he occasionally appeared overzealous in doing so.
He expressed concern over the current political tensions and took particular exception to the alleged remarks directed at First Lady Anita Mutula.
“Abusing H.E. Anita Mutula translates into abusing all the women of Makueni and indeed Kenya,” Kibwana said.
The former governor urged Senator Maanzo to apologise to those affected by the alleged remarks while calling on Governor Mutula to embrace forgiveness should such an apology be offered.
“I advise Senator to apologise to all concerned. And Governor should forgive his friend the Senator after an adequate apology. It is a Christian act to forgive,” he said.
In a move likely to attract attention across Makueni’s political landscape, Kibwana also offered to personally mediate the dispute, insisting that the matter does not deserve further escalation.
His intervention comes as political alignments begin taking shape ahead of the 2027 elections, with leaders across Ukambani positioning themselves for the next phase of political competition.
By entering the dispute, Kibwana has amplified calls for restraint and reconciliation while highlighting growing concerns that continued infighting within Wiper could undermine unity in one of the party’s key strongholds.
“Let all Makueni leaders act judiciously. 2027 is around the corner,” the former governor said.
