Shock as Kalonzo Musyoka drums support for Wiper candidates

Nasa presidential flagbearer Raila Odinga and his running mate and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka addresses a rally at Musila grounds in Mwingi on June 26, 2017. Mr Musyoka told Narc leader Charity Ngilu, who is seeking the Kitui governor’s seat, that he would only support Wiper candidates. PHOTO | DENNIS KAVISU | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Mr Musyoka said he would campaign for his Wiper party nominees for various seats including the Kitui governorship being sought by Mrs Ngilu
  • Kitui Governor Julius Malombe was heckled by Mrs Ngilu’s supporters, as he addressed the same rally, in a standoff that lasted about 20 minutes.
  • Mrs Ngilu has been campaigning for Mr Musyoka, her long time political rival and has been accompanying the Nasa principals outside Kitui County.

Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has told former Cabinet secretary Charity Ngilu that she should have dissolved her Narc party if she was keen on Ukambani political unity.

Mr Musyoka said he would campaign for his Wiper party nominees for various seats including the Kitui governorship being sought by Mrs Ngilu, despite the two working together under the National Super Alliance (Nasa) political umbrella.

The Nasa presidential running mate disowned Mrs Ngilu as he drummed up support for Wiper candidates after the former CS joined him on the campaign trail at Kabati market in Kitui West Constituency.

“I am happy we are all speaking in one voice as a community, but Wiper needs numbers in national and county assemblies and therefore Mrs Ngilu being in a party that is in competition with us must appreciate that,” said Mr Musyoka on Monday.

FOLDED NARC PARTY

He said Mrs Ngilu should have folded Narc party just like former Kathiani MP Wavinya Ndeti did with Chama Cha Uzalendo and joined Wiper.

Ms Ndeti is Wiper’s Machakos gubernatorial candidate.

The Wiper leader said parties under the Nasa coalition were competing with each other in the elections and that besides the votes garnered, parties’ strength would also be measured on the basis of parliamentary and county seats they garner.

“Nasa is going to win this election but I don’t want to be a deputy president without governors and foot soldiers in both county and national assemblies to implement our agenda,” Mr Musyoka said, while advocating for a six-piece voting pattern.

MALOMBE HECKLED

Earlier, Kitui Governor Julius Malombe was heckled by Mrs Ngilu’s supporters, as he addressed the same rally, in a standoff that lasted about 20 minutes.

Mr Musyoka was accompanied by Wiper governor candidates Kivutha Kibwana (Makueni), Nathif Jama (Garissa), Chirau Ali Mwakwere (Kwale) and MPs Charles Nyamai (Kitui Rural), Francis Nyenze (Kitui West), Mutua Muluvi (Kitui East), among others.

Mrs Ngilu has been campaigning for Mr Musyoka, her long time political rival and has been accompanying the Nasa principals outside Kitui County, in a newfound unity that now hangs in the balance after yesterday’s statements by Mr Musyoka.

NOT GOSPEL TRUTH

Mrs Ngilu did not accompany Mr Musyoka in subsequent rallies in Mwingi town but said she would continue working with Nasa leaders while still pursuing her candidacy for the Kitui governor’s seat.

“I have no problem with Kalonzo’s stand because it is not the gospel truth. He’s trying to market a very unpopular governor and he will be embarrassed at the ballot” Mrs Ngilu told the Nation after the rally.