Waiting for Kalonzo as time flies

 

Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka during an interview at his SKM Command Center in Nairobi on March 1, 2022. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka is in a tight situation, and the pressure on him is mounting as he remains reticent on his next political move.

Kalonzo, after seeming to agree to back Azimio la Umoja, last week threw a spanner in the works by demanding that ODM leader Raila Odinga honours a 2017 pact that bound Raila to support his bid in 2022.

There were conflicting reports that the two leaders met yesterday to find a way forward. While details about their discussion remain scanty, the question in the political circles is: What will Kalonzo do?

In a hard-hitting statement released last evening, Kanu secretary general Nick Salat hit out at Kalonzo's indecisiveness.

He said Kanu was becoming restless "with the indecisiveness, stone-walling and meandering tactics that one of the One Kenya Alliance partners has adopted." 

In the statement, Salat also said Kanu will attend the Azimio la Umoja National Delegates Conference on Saturday. "Kanu members will attend the Azimio La Umoja NDC on Saturday in huge numbers. The Azimio NDC will be a historic event which no one, let alone Kanu can afford to miss,” stated Salat.

The majority of Kanu's rank and file, Salat said, was of the opinion that OKA should not consult and negotiate endlessly. "Time is running out! Other serious parties and political formations have already made their stand known about where in the current political matrix they fall. But Kanu is being held back by a partner in OKA who has suddenly pulled out a "love letter" with a previous suitor," he said. 

The Kanu SG was referring to Kalonzo and his 2017 contract with Raila.

Kalonzo’s options are binary. He could push forward with his ambition and go it alone or back Raila under the Azimio banner. He has said he does not intend to join Deputy President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza Alliance.

He could emerge as a major roadblock for Raila in the lower Eastern region should he opt to run on his own. He has said that running on August 9 and possibly forming a post-election pact should none of the contenders reach the constitutional threshold for victory, was also an option for him.

Kalonzo’s suspicion of Raila persists and sources close to him said he was still not convinced that he could trust Raila.

Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang'ula played at this mistrust between Wiper and Raila’s ODM when he tweeted yesterday that Kalonzo should not allow “political turncoats to shape your destiny. With the history of betrayal and deceit, plus the arrogance being displayed, think carefully before you enter the tent.”

Yet Kalonzo is by no means politically isolated. He has the backing of OKA. He has two weeks to make his position known before the deadline for presenting party lists lapses. Political parties have until March 26 to provide their party lists to the Registrar of Political Parties as required by the Elections Act.

Kanu chair Gideon Moi yesterday affirmed that there was no threat to the unity of OKA after Salat suggested that Kalonzo was holding Kanu back.

"I do not know what he wants so he agrees to go with us. He is taking so long. Just let him go if he is not listening," Salat said at Kabarnet Gardens on Wednesday when the party launched its manifesto.

Gideon said yesterday that Kanu had not changed its position and supported OKA push for structured, open and honest negotiations with other parties. “We are committed to the cause of OKA and we are not about to deviate from that path until an amicable position has been attained in the on-going talks." 

Kalonzo has remained hesitant to support Raila’s presidential bid for the third time and wants to have a go himself. The OKA leaders yesterday also met with New Democrats Party leader Jimmy Kibaki in a show of unity.

Political analyst Tom Mboya said Kalonzo’s experience in 2007 when he ran on his own and became the kingmaker after the elections could influence his thinking. “The circumstances are different now and he will have to do some recalculation,” he said.