DP job is mine for the taking, Kalonzo vows
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka yesterday demanded respect from Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition partners as he raised questions over the push to have him appear before a panel that will pick the alliance’s running mate.
Speaking as he traversed Ukambani counties on his way to the coast, Musyoka also said he was in the coalition to stay, promising to fully support Azimio leader Raila Odinga in his quest to become the country’s fifth president.
Kalonzo’s campaign blitz from Machakos to Mombasa in which he pitched for Raila appeared to be an about-turn following an announcement by his allies that they had suspended any such activities until the issue of running mate is settled.
Position not negotiable
A defiant and seemingly bullish crowd made it clear that the position of running mate was not negotiable and that it was beneath him to be subjected to an interview.
“I have been a vice-president for five years under Mwai Kibaki and contested as running mate for Raila twice. How can I be subjected to an interview? Let any of those willing to attend the interviews show me when they had to step down from the presidential race in favour of Raila,” said Kalonzo.
According to the former VP, none of those being considered to be Raila’s running mates had made as huge sacrifices as he had done for him in the previous elections.
Those who have been linked to the slot include Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua, former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya and Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho.
Narc leader Charity Ngilu has backed Karua for the post while Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua has offered himself for the job. The Wiper leader also fought off murmurs that he was being egged on by Kenya Kwanza Brigade which had accused the Azimio campaign of humiliating Kalonzo by asking him to be interviewed for the post.
“I pulled out of the race to support Raila for the presidency. I am campaigning to stop Kenya Kwanza from getting power. I don’t want them to speak for me,” he said.
“We must be given our rights. Our community must be respected. We have supported the gentleman twice. Nobody should joke with us. The issue of the interview is demeaning,” he said in Emali.
Accompanied by embattled former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko and a host of leaders, the Wiper leader rallied crowds in a series of stops on the Mombasa Highway that will culminate in Tononoka Grounds, Mombasa. It was apparent that the Wiper leader was retreating to his Ukambani power base to bolster his demands.
The Kalonzo brigade addressed rallies at Mlolongo, Sultan Hamud and Emali on its way to Mombasa where Sonko was handed the Wiper ticket to run for the governorship. In one of the stopovers, Sonko asked the interview panel “to respect Kalonzo and Raila to announce Kalonzo as the country’s next deputy president.”
Turmoil has hit the alliance following failure to agree on who to be Raila’s running mate, with rival factions fronting preferred names.
Kalonzo spoke as Deputy President William Ruto prayed for a fallout within Azimio that could potentially turn some of the coalition’s strongholds into battlegrounds.
But the former vice-president dismissed Ruto’s recent interest in Azimio affairs, saying he was not contemplating quitting the coalition in favour of the DP’s group.
“We are not going back on our decision to join Azimio. I respect the interviewing panel ... but even my Senator Wambua, a young man, will now interview me? But no problem. Where there are challenges is the right path for us. I will vote for Raila and I have said Raila Tosha. That is where I am, but let us stop some of these people who want to play games with us,” said Kalonzo in Mlolongo. On Wednesday, Ruto attempted to fan unrest in Azimio, claiming it was wrong to ask Kalonzo to appear before an interviewing team.
“Though we are competitors, to subject Kalonzo to some humiliating ‘interview’ is impunity. We must unite to eliminate the culture of political deceit, the hallmark of some politicians. Whatever the circumstances, every leader deserves some dignity and respect. Heshima si utumwa,” said Ruto, who is also the United Democratic Alliance leader.
Won’t submit to panel
The team formed to help Raila pick his deputy held its first session on Wednesday as it remained unclear if Kalonzo would submit to it after his allies said he would not. Yesterday, Wiper Vice-Chairman Mutula Kilonzo Jr said their position had not changed, adding that their leader did not plan to face the committee chaired by former Minister Noah Wekesa.
“He is not attending. We do not want to subject him to embarrassment,” he told ‘People Daily’.
Kanu, a member of the Azimio coalition, added to the troubles facing the search for Raila’s deputy after it released two statements; one proposing Kalonzo and another its leader Gideon Moi as the choice for the post.
Last evening, the party’s Secretary General, Nick Salat, released a letter it had written to the panel proposing Gideon Moi as the best candidate for the position.
“Apart from meeting the constitutional threshold for nomination as a deputy presidential candidate, Gideon Moi comes highly recommended with an impeccable record in public service,” said Salat in a letter to the panel.
However, in a post on Moi’s verified Twitter account, the senator endorsed Kalonzo as the party’s preferred candidate for the position. “It is our considered opinion, and I strongly believes that Stephen Kalonzo fits the bill and is the most suitable individual to deputise Raila Odinga,” he said.
Political analyst Kaburu Kinoti said despite the existence of the panel, Raila will make the final decision on who will run for the presidency with him.
“The most important decision a presidential candidate has to make is on the running mate. This is his decision to make. He can choose a panel like what has happened to help him make that decision but the final decision will be upon him,” said Prof Kinoti, who is also secretary general of the Party for Peace and Democracy.
He, however, said Ruto and allies were not genuine in raising concerns about Kalonzo’s participation in the interviews.
“They are engaging in conmanship. They are worried that Kalonzo is not being treated well yet they are not saying how he will benefit if he is with them. Kalonzo stands to benefit more in Azimio than in Kenya Kwanza. He is a rational person and he will make the right decision at the right time,” he added.
