By Daniel Nzia and Karanja Njoroge

Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka has asked Prime Minister Raila Odinga to join WDM and compete for the presidential ticket in party nominations.

Kalonzo said Raila decamped from ODM-Kenya, now Wiper Democratic Movement (WDM), and he should return to the party.

“Raila left ODM-Kenya for ODM after sensing defeat. He is the one who should return to ODM-K, now WDM, and compete. If he is beaten in the nomination he should accept defeat,” he said.

At the same time, the VP said plans for the groundbreaking of the proposed Konza ICT city are at an advanced stage.

Kalonzo said the multi-billion shillings techno city project is a reality and encouraged Ukambani residents to invest in the project.

“The proposed Konza city will definitely change the face of Makueni County and the country as whole. It will comprise major projects including a major hospital,” said the VP.

The Wiper Democratic Movement party presidential candidate said a dam would be constructed along River Thwake to supply water to the development project.

He was speaking at Mung’ala in Machakos yesterday when he joined thousands of his supporters in celebrating the party’s victory in the just concluded civic by-election in Machakos and Kitui counties.
 

Defected
Gideon Kavuu was elected the new Mumbuni North Ward councillor after garnering 1,958 votes while in Kitui West constituency, Anthony Muthui was elected the Matinyani/Mutulu/Kalimani ward councilor with 1,776 votes.

Kalonzo who was accompanied by Machakos Town MP Victor Munyaka said the election of the two civic leaders on the party’s ticket was a great honour to him.

“The signal the electorate sent to the rest of the country is that the presence of the party in the region is real,” he said.

He assured his supporters he would not relent in his quest for the presidency and urged them to remain steadfast behind him.

During the ceremony, Kalonzo received ODM party chairman for Kathiani branch Richard Makola who defected to Wiper.

Meanwhile, pressure continues to mount for the VP to team up with Eldoret North MP William Ruto ahead of the elections. WDM youth in Nakuru County said a Kalonzo-Ruto alliance will win the elections and ensure peace prevails. The youth said Ruto should be Kalonzo’s running mate.