I won’t beg for Raila’s support, says Kalonzo
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka. FILE PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Kalonzo says he is ready to fight it out with his opponents without asking ‘to be backed’.
- Ukambani politicians said that Mr Kalonzo had been patient for too long, and asked him to stamp his authority within any political coalition in the run-up to the polls.
Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has said that he will not beg for political support from opposition leader Raila Odinga in his quest to be President in the 2022 general elections.
Addressing mourners during the burial of Machakos member of Parliament Joyce Kamene’s father, Mr David Makumbi, Mr Kalonzo said he was ready to fight it out with his opponents without asking ‘to be backed’ for the top seat.
He was reacting to calls by a section of Ukambani politicians who had spoken earlier urging him to negotiate for nothing less than the presidential slot when he embarks to form any political coalition with leaders from other communities.
The leaders said that Mr Kalonzo had been patient for too long, and asked him to stamp his authority within any political coalition in the run-up to the polls.
Among the leaders were former Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama, MPs Patrick Makau (Mavoko), Joshua Kimilu (Kaiti) Robert Mbui (Kathiani) and Vincent Musau (Mwala).
“We have a presidential candidate, what we are looking for is a running mate,” said Mr Kimilu.
Mr Muthama said other Ukambani politicians who had declared interest in the presidency including Machakos governor Alfred Mutua and his Makueni counterpart, Kivutha Kibwana were not a match for Mr Kalonzo.
