Is Wiper Democratic Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka becoming politically irrelevant?
He has been seen as someone struggling to be part of President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga’s team, following the March 9, 2018, handshake.
He remains an outsider and even a job promise as a special peace envoy to South Sudan is yet to be fulfilled.
Kalonzo was widely reported to have been appointed to the position as part of the handshake goodies. But the Star has established that almost three months after the promised appointment, nothing tangible has come his way.
Back in his backyard, a rebellion is brewing. Kitui governor Charity Ngilu, Makueni’s Kivutha Kibwana and Machakos’s Alfred Mutua have teamed up to oppose his leadership.
Kibwana and Mutua are serving their last terms as governors.
“Going forward, we’ll speak with one voice to unite the community and negotiate directly with the national government on issues affecting our region,” the three declared on Wednesday, opening a new political battlefront in Ukambani.
Kalonzo’s allies immediately warned that the three were digging their political graves. MPs Gideon Mulyungi (Mwingi Central), Musili Mawathe (Embakasi South), Joshua Mbithi (Masinga), Mulu Makali (Kitui Central), Patrick Makau (Mavoko) and Kitui senator Enock Wambua rallied behind him.
In what they called the Mavoko declaration, the leaders said Kalonzo remains the Ukambani political kingpin. They pledged to support his presidential bid.
The lawmakers dared Kibwana to quit Wiper and seek a fresh mandate on his Muungano Party ticket “if he is man enough”.
“There is nothing those governors are doing. The road launched on Wednesday was constructed in 2016 to the tune of Sh220 million. The governors’ unity is to squander public funds, which they don’t want Wiper MCAs to question,” Mbithi said.
He dismissed the trio as having no political clout to mount a serious State House bid.
Wambua demanded respect for the Wiper leader in his backyard to boost his presidential ambitions.
Uhuru, Deputy President William Ruto and Raila have unfailing support in their backyards. Kalonzo’s quest would be heavily dented if he lost the battle to the governors.