Ukambani governors held a five-hour closed-door meeting on development in the region without Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka who is seen as the region's kingpin.
Kalonzo eliminated from the equation
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka
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The meeting attended by governors Alfred Mutua (Machakos), Charity Ngilu (Kitui) and Kivutha Kibwana (Makueni) was said to have been centered on eradication of poverty after the trio openly criticized Kalonzo's development track record in the region
"We want to define the development agenda of this region. Our people have suffered for too long because of poor leadership," Ms Ngilu said, adding they'll provide leadership that changes people's lives.
Trade amongst themselves
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The governors announced that they had agreed to trade amongst themselves and collaborate to achieve faster development.
Governors Alfred Mutua (Machakos), Charity Ngilu (Kitui) and Kivutha Kibwana (Makueni)
Pulse Live Kenya
An agreement was made on the intra-trade where the trio said they would buy garments used in county facilities from the Kitui County Textiles factory (Kicotec).
The trio also agreed to have the Makueni Fruit Factory process all the fruits produced in the region.
Machakos County will also benefit from hosting conferences for its sister counties since it has better hotel facilities.
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Free treatment
Governor Mutua also stated that they were deliberating on allowing residents of the three counties who were seeking treatment access to free treatment in any public hospital within the region.
This was informed by the availability of the universal health coverage which has been rolled out in the three counties.
Sticking together
Machakos is among four counties where the national government is piloting the universal health coverage while Kitui and Makueni counties have successfully implemented free health insurance covers for their residents.
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Governors Alfred Mutua (Machakos), Charity Ngilu (Kitui) and Kivutha Kibwana (Makueni)
Pulse Live Kenya
"We have tasked our teams to work out modalities of actualising these noble plans geared towards fighting poverty, generating wealth for our people and providing cohesion in the region," Mutua stated.
The three vowed to stick together and ignore those opposed to their new-found unity or avoid those insulting them and promised that they will transform lives in a way never seen before.
Last week a section of MPs and a Senator asked Governor Kivutha to resign over his criticism of Kalonzo's development track record in the Ukambani region.
