Musila: Kalonzo won’t join Jubilee, will seek Presidency on Cord ticket
Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka during the Wiper National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at the Wiper Offices in Lavington. The party's Chairman David Musila, a close ally of the former vice president, said they were betrayed by the Jubilee leadership in the run-up to the 2013 elections and will not work with them. PHOTO | DENNIS KAVISU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- In an interview with the Nation, Mr Musila, who is the Kitui Senator, denied that the Wiper leader was likely to quit Cord Coalition and form an alliance with Jubilee.
- He admitted that there was pressure from the Jubilee administration to convince Kamba leaders to work with them in the next elections but he said this will not work.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka will stick with the Cord coalition to push for his chance to contest the Presidency in the next elections, his party said Friday.
Party Chairman David Musila, a close ally of the former vice president, said they were betrayed by the Jubilee leadership in the run-up to the 2013 elections and will not work with them.
In an interview with the Nation, Mr Musila, who is the Kitui Senator, denied that the Wiper leader was likely to quit Cord Coalition and form an alliance with Jubilee.
“We came from far with that team until the last moment when they said we (the Kamba people) are not many to warrant being a running mate. We had to change our position at the last minute and founded Cord with Mr Raila Odinga,” he said.
He was referring to the unfruitful negotiations in 2012 between President Uhuru Kenyatta, Deputy President William Ruto and Mr Musyoka with the latter pushing for the second slot in the pecking order of the Jubilee coalition.
At the end of the talks, it was said, Mr Musyoka was told he cannot become the running mate of President Kenyatta because Mr Ruto was bringing more votes to the Jubilee basket and should settle for the National Assembly Speaker.
Mr Musyoka’s team, which included Mr Musila and late Cabinet minister Mutula Kilonzo quit in a huff and teamed up with Mr Odinga in the Cord coalition.
Mr Musila said: “We will continue in Cord and nothing will move us from there.”
He was speaking against the back drop of political pressure on the Wiper leader in his back yard following a visit by Ukambani leaders to State House a week ago led by Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua.
Questions have also been raised about the position of Wiper Party after Mr Musila led leaders from Kitui County to State House three weeks ago with reports that it meant Mr Musyoka was likely to quit Cord.
DITCHING CORD
Matters were not helped after Mr Odinga, during an interview with a local TV station, trashed an agreement with Mr Musyoka that the Wiper leader will be Cord’s presidential candidate in 2017.
Mr Musila admitted that there was pressure from the Jubilee administration to convince Kamba leaders to work with them in the next elections but he said this will not work.
He linked calls on Mr Musyoka by MPs Joe Mutambu (Mwingi Central) and Kisoi Munyao (Mbooni) to quit Cord to that pressure.
“Pressure has been there from day one. Every opportunity has been used to disrespect the undisputed Kamba leader (Mr Musyoka). Mutambu and Munyao have started a campaign and funny enough they say they are fighting for Kalonzo. They have no love for Kalonzo and will incur the wrath of the voters come the elections,” he said.
Mr Musila said he led a delegation to State House to find ways of tarmacking a major road in Kitui, which has been a subject of demonstrations in the recent past.
He added that they consulted Mr Musyoka and other leaders before going to State House.
Musila said that after the trip, rebel leaders from Wiper approached some State House officials and promised to mobilise more people to meet President Kenyatta.
