Wamalwa eyes Kalonzo alliance

Justice minister Eugene Wamalwa has sent signals he could be working on a new alliance with Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka as his relationship with Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta appears to be on the wane.

Mr Wamalwa played a key role during the launch of Mr Kenyatta’s TNA three weeks ago but now appears to have a change of mind following the former's dalliance with his rival and UDF presidential aspirant Musalia Mudavadi.

The Saboti MP who was catapulted to the ministerial docket following his role in the G7 Alliance, met Mr Musyoka at a Nairobi hotel and announced their readiness to work with like-minded leaders to spur the country to greater heights of development.

“Today’s (Tuesday) meeting held in a Nairobi hotel becomes the second such meeting between the two, having met in a similar manner three months ago,” a statement from the Vice President’s Press Service sent to newsrooms, said.

Both Mr Musyoka and Mr Wamalwa are founders of the so called G7 Alliance, but the Saboti MP threatened to quit last weekend if its sole purpose is to stop Prime Minister Raila Odinga from assuming the presidency.

The statement said the meeting between Mr Musyoka and Mr Wamalwa came amid speculation that Eugene Wamalwa was unhappy about recent political developments in Western Kenya.

“During the meeting the leaders discussed issues touching on development both locally and internationally that would spur the country economically and the current political situation in the country,” the statement said.

The meeting was also attended by Assistant minister for Defence David Musila, who is Mr Musyoka’s key ally and nominated MP Musikari Kombo who is one of Mr Wamalwa’s political advisers.

The VP went for the “informal friendly meeting” after attending the Wiper Democratic Movement National Executive Council meeting.

Sought for comment, Mr Kombo could not confirm or deny whether Mr Musyoka and Mr Wamalwa were working for a political deal ahead of the General Election.

“As Kenyans we are entitled to have lunch…The young man is a presidential candidate and is ready and willing to work with like-minded people for the sake of this country,” Mr Kombo said on the telephone.

Mr Kombo could not, however, comment on the alleged waning relationship between Mr Kenyatta and Mr Wamalwa.

Mr Wamalwa’s political star has been dwindling since Mr Mudavadi quit ODM for UDF on whose ticket he would be seeking the presidency. The two rely on Western Province as their political base and have been fighting for its control before seeking support from other Kenyans.

The Justice minister had been hoping to be Mr Kenyatta’s running-mate if the International Criminal Court does not stop the TNA leader from vying. The Saboti MP had also hoped to be G7’s compromise presidential candidate if Mr Kenyatta and Eldoret North MP William Ruto do not vie.

During a rally in Kakamega at the weekend, TNA and Mr Ruto’s emissaries told the crowd they were ready to forge an alliance with Mr Mudavadi with a view of selecting and backing a single presidential
candidate in the coming polls.

But on Tuesday, Mr Kenyatta told a meeting at Nairobi’s Kamukunji that he had not sent anybody to speak on his behalf.