VP seeks Eastern unity, eyes Kibaki strongholds

By Athman Amran

Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka faces the headache of consolidating the more than two million votes in Eastern region that eluded him in 2007.

As he met political leaders from Embu, Isiolo, and other Eastern areas in Nairobi recently, the Wiper leader said the region’s votes would give him a head- start in the General Election.

The VP is so far confident he has consolidated support in Kamba counties, but is yet to capture the support of the Meru and Embu in Central Eastern and the Samburu, Turkana, Gabra, Burji, Borana, and Rendile in Upper Eastern.

In the 2007 elections, Kalonzo got much of his support from Lower Eastern.  While the Central Eastern largely supported Kibaki in the last two elections, the Upper Eastern, which had largely been a Kanu zone, had seen a shift of alliances in 2007, with the VP’s party getting Saku constituency.

While Isiolo South and Laisamis remained Kanu zones, Isiolo North went to Narc-Kenya. Moyale and North Horr went to ODM in the bungled 2007 elections.

Held meetings

“I pray that we should vote as a province to show that we can unite. Then, we will save this country,” Kalonzo said when he met leaders from Embu County (comprising Siakago, Manyatta, Runyenjes, and Gachoka constituencies) at a Nairobi hotel last Tuesday.

He, however, expressed fears the region may vote on tribal lines, which he said would be unfortunate.

“This time President Kibaki is not going to run after his term expires. Then why not support Kalonzo?” the VP said.

He went on: “Wakati huu sitaki kusikia nitapita katikati. Tutanyakua kutoka kwa mdomo wa simba (this time I do not want to hear that I will pass between others. We will grab leadership from the lion’s mouth),” Kalonzo said.

The Embu County leaders, however, while promising they would mobilise support for Kalonzo, wanted the VP to pledge he would help them get markets and subsidies for their coffee and tea.

Party manifesto

“We are prepared to help you in conquering the region. However, we want you to camp in Embu.  We want to understand your manifesto. These people are prepared to move with you,” a representative, Miriti A Mang’u, told the VP.

Harrison Mwaluko of Gachoka cited the problem of poor road infrastructure and unemployment among the youth.

“We are ready to work with you. We have decided to take one road. We welcome you to Embu County,” he said.

Miriti wondered why those allied to the Alliance Party of Kenya associated with Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi could not join Kalonzo. “We have asked them why not come to our side because the ‘bus’ (symbol of APK) has no driver?” Miriti said.

Kalonzo said he was in talks with Embu and Meru leaders, including Kiraitu to see how they could work together.

Former Isiolo North MP Charfana Mokku, who wants to become Senator of the Isiolo County, appealed to the Eastern residents to seek unity.

“All communities in Eastern should unite. Kalonzo is the only one who has asked for the big seat in Eastern. We have no other choices,” Mokku said. The region has 36 constituencies, with a population of 4,631,779 million.

Kalonzo said on August 6, the Wiper party would hold a meeting at the Bomas of Kenya where it will announce its nomination rules and expound on the party manifesto and constitution.