President Uhuru Kenyatta has appointed former Kitui Governor Julius Malombe the chairman of Kenya Water Towers Agency.
Malombe replaces Isaac Kalua from Kitui.
The appointment of Malombe has caused excitement in Kitui County.
Majority of his supporters are saying the appointment will be a launching pad for his comeback in 2022.
During his tenure, Malombe was credited with fair distribution of county projects.
He was a darling of Kitui residents.
He is believed to have lost the position after former Kitui senator David Musila threw his hat into the gubernatorial contest thereby dividing the Wiper vote thus giving the current governor Charity Ngilu (Narc) an advantage.
“His appointment to the water agency is a clear testimony that his skills are needed.We just pray that he could listen to the people’s cry and come back to complete the projects he started which have stalled,” said Ephantus Mwaange from Mwangeni, Kitui south in a social media post.
Malombe’s successor Governor Ngilu has been battling accusations of marginalization of certain regions within the county, nepotism, poor management and corruption.
However, Ngilu has insisted that Wiper MCAs are out to paint her “black” and destabilize her administration.
Some sections of the county have been loudly calling on the former governor to consider running again in 2022.
However, Malombe has not responded.
His appointment in the water agency is said to be a culmination of lobbying by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka who also lobbied for the appointment of Wavinya Ndeti at Kenya Water Institute.
Other Kalonzo allies earmarked for state appointments are former Machakos Women Representative Susan Musyoka (member of the Regional Centre on Groundwater Resources, Training and Research in Eastern Africa) while former East African MP Peter Mathuki will sit at the Kenya Investment Authority. Mathuki was Wavinya’s running mate for Machakos governor’s seat which they lost to Dr Alfred Mutua.
Other appointments that have excited the county are that of Mwende Mwinzi as Kenya’s ambassador to Seoul, South Korea and Mwendwa Musembi who was posted to Dubai in the same capacity.