Wiper Senator says Gideon in talks with Kalonzo over 2022

Baringo Senator Gideon Moi, Woman Rep Gladwel Cheruiyot and Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua during the burial of Ceciliah Chelang’at at Ngata, Nakuru County, yesterday. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka is in talks with Baringo Senator Gideon Moi to form a political alliance ahead of the 2022 presidential race to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta.

According to Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua, the talks are at an advance stage and there were possibilities of a merger between Kanu and the Wiper Party.

“It is true that Kalonzo and Senator Moi are talking. They will form the next government,” Mr Wambua said.

Honest leader

He was addressing mourners at the burial of the late Ceciliah Chelang’at in Ngata, Nakuru County. The late Chelang’at is the mother to Kenneth Mibei, Senator Moi’s personal assistant.

Wambua dismissed claims that the former Vice President was in talks with other political players from the Rift Valley region, saying Senator Moi was an honest leader who could be relied on.

“It should go on record that we are aware of the talks between Senator Moi and Kalonzo. We are not aware of other talks,” he said.

Two months ago, there were claims that Deputy President William Ruto was wooing the former Vice President to join his camp before 2022.

Kalonzo has since denied the claims by former Machakos Senator Johnston Muthama.

The Wiper leader, in a tweet on December 19, 2019, distanced himself from Muthama’s bid to support Ruto.

“In the light of recent conversations and speculations about working with the DP, please note that these speculations are malicious. They are a desperate attempt to drive a wedge between me and HE the President and have failed. Remarks by individuals should not be attributed to me,” stated Kalonzo in the tweet.

Kalonzo has been a close political associate of the Moi family having worked with former President Daniel Moi.

He served in the government under President Moi and was Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1993 until 1998.

He has continued to pay Mzee Moi visits and held talks revolving around national unity and honest leadership.

He has also hosted Senator Moi in Ukambani.

But when addressing the mourners, the Baringo Senator steered clear of Uhuru’s succession politics and instead urged Kenyans to unite behind the President and challenged leaders to support him in delivering on his legacy. “Its time to unite the country and support President Kenyatta’s efforts to put the country on track,” Senator Moi said.

No debt

Kanu Secretary General Nick Salat dismissed the assertion that a community can owe an individual some political debt.

He said if there was any political debt to be settled, it should not be pegged on an individual but on a community’s anonymous choice when the time comes.

“The Kikuyu community should not pay that debt to an individual but leave to the Kalenjin community to decide who to benefit from the debt,“ he said.

Salat was referring the Kenyan political debate on whether the DP should be the automatic choice for the Mt Kenya voting bloc in 2022 after supporting President Kenyatta in both his terms.

Other leaders at the funeral were Nakuru Deputy Governor Erick Korir, Rongai MP Raymond Moi, Samburu West’s Naisula Lesuuda and Baringo’s Gladwell Cheruiyot.

Raymond said though many have asked Gideon to say something about his plans for 2022, the right time to make a declaration was yet come. He, however, confirmed that Kanu will play a major political role in President Kenyatta’s succession.

“Kanu is still strong, 2022 is still far. Let us work, but let’s speak development,” he said.

Lesuuda hit out at Kandara MP Alice Wahome, saying she lacked respect and ought to have found proper means to address her issues.

“Let’s join hands and pray for the President. As women we need to respect him,” she said.