Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka will be a man in focus as President William Ruto tours his Ukambani political backyard this weekend.
It is not clear if Kalonzo, a key principal of Azimio One Kenya Coalition, has whipped his lieutenants from Ukambani turf to receive the President when he tours the region on Sunday.
Azimio boss Raila Odinga, Kalonzo's boss, had in January allowed his troops to welcome Ruto when he toured the three counties of Homa Bay, Siaya and Kisumu.
President Ruto is set to visit the Ukambani region on April 16 to inspect ongoing government projects, launch new ones and attend a Thanksgiving service.
Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangagi told the Star that the President will on Sunday attend an interdenominational prayer Service at the Machakos Stadium.
The DG said Kalonzo is aware of the President's visit to the county on Sunday.
''Kalonzo is our leader of Ukambani region and our party leader, we have talked about the visit and I can say he has no problem with us as a county government receiving the Head of State in Machakos,'' said Mwangangi.
Mwangangi said the Sunday meeting is being coordinated by religious leaders from the region and has nothing to do with politics.
"Political, religious and business leaders will attend the prayer service to pray for the country and thank God for the rains," he said.
Mwangangi said that as a county government, they will do everything possible to ensure that more development projects are unveiled in partnership with the national government to benefit the people.
"We can collaborate and work together for the development needs of our people without playing politics," he said.
This will be Ruto's inaugural tour of the Ukambani region as Head of State and Government following his narrow victory against Raila in August last year.
On Wednesday, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua met leaders from the Ukambani region to plan the President's tour.
"I was happy to host a delegation of leaders from Lower Eastern to discuss development issues in the region ahead of President William Ruto's visit to Machakos on Sunday," Gachagua twitted.
The delegation to the meeting at the DP's Harambee Annex was led by UDA Organising Secretary Vincent Musyoka.
After the Machakos tour, the President is also planning an extensive working visit to the three counties of Machakos, Kitui and Makueni.
