Leaders laugh off Wiper leader Kalonzo remarks
Leaders from Ukambani have reacted to an assertion by Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka that former Machakos senator Johnson Muthama has misled him twice to pursue a losing political path.
Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua and his Makueni counterpart Kivutha Kibwana have laughed off and challenged the Wiper leader to demonstrate that he is his own man.
Yesterday, Muthama said Kalonzo’s allegations are a clear concession that he is a political weakling incapable of making independent decisions.
“Somebody tell Kalonzo that were it not for me, he would not have been a Vice President.
I personally negotiated for his position with retired President Mwai Kibaki,” said Mr Muthama.
Last week, during the burial of Samuel Mulu, son of the late Ukambani political supremo Mulu Mutisya, Kalonzo said he no longer needs a negotiator.
He noted that Muthama has auctioned him twice to Raila Odinga and that will be his own negotiator in future.
Kalonzo has been Raila’s running mate in the 2013 and 2017 polls.
Kibwana took to social media and challenged Kalonzo to demonstrate that he was his own man.
“Kalonzo now blames Muthama for auctioning him to Raila in 2013 and 2017. How can a person who aspires to be a president not have a mind of his own?” One must face his failures.
His regional senators have defied him over revenue sharing. Time is up” wrote Kibwana on his official Twitter account.
Muthama, who spoke briefly on Saturday during the burial of Henry Ngei, son of former Cabinet Minister and freedom fighter Paul Ngei at Mbilini in Kangundo, said he prides himself for having made Kalonzo a Vice-President in the Grand Coalition Government.
“He said I auctioned him to Raila. Yes I am a true man if I can give political direction to a whole Vice-President,” said Muthama.
Kalonzo critics say that he has no interest of the community at heart and that is the reason why he wants to negotiate for himself, and wants to be accommodated in other people’s political arrangement.
Very clear
Governor Mutua told People Daily that he hopes to accommodate Kalonzo in his State House campaign. The governor has declared intention to vie for the presidency.
“It is very clear that people want a new face of a leader who cares for their welfare. A national leader, not a tribal lord.
It is very unfortunate to see our competitors only clinging on past tribal support, which is fading very fast.
They want to be accommodated by others and that is why in 2022 I will be seeking the presidency.
I will accommodate others like Kalonzo Musyoka and Kivutha Kibwana among other leaders” said Mutua.
During the burial at Kangundo on Saturday, Muthama, was flanked by his lieutenants MPs, Fabian Muli (Kangundo), Victor Munyaka (Machakos Town) and Vincent Musyoka (Mwala) faced resistance after they attempted to sell Deputy President William Ruto’s 2022 presidential bid.
The crowd was charged when Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Maliti, who represented his boss said ‘it will be impossible to market Ruto in Ukambani and that a true Kingpin of the region is the one who has brought tangible development to the people”
But Ruto lieutenants put on a brave face saying that 2022 will present a rare opportunity for the Kamba Community to be in government by partnering with DP Ruto.
“I am selling Ruto in Ukambani because he is a man full of proper leadership attributes and courage.
I want to challenge you (wiper leaders) to go hunting national leaders of substance like the DP who wooed me to his camp, ” Muthama.
Announcing his 2022 bid, Kalonzo has made it clear that he will not campaign to be a running mate of any politician.
The Wiper leader added: “This is my riddle to Muthama; do you think Kalonzo can be Ruto’s deputy?”
This is my question to you. My friend Muthama, you took me to Raila twice, and the results are what we are seeing now.
I will not be calm again, time has come and you cannot block Athi River water with thickets.”
