Sorry, I can’t work with you, Kalonzo now tells DP Ruto

Wiper Leader Hon Kalonzo Musyoka and Presidential hopeful for ODM Jimmy Wanjigi arrives for a political rally in Unoa grounds, Wote Makueni County today. [Dennis Kavisu, Standard]

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has declared he won't forge a coalition with Deputy President William Ruto. In his second day of rallies in Ukambani yesterday, Kalonzo told supporters although he was in negotiations with other parties, Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) was not an option.

Speaking at Unoa grounds in Wote, Makueni County Kalonzo said: "Our resolution is that we are going forward. This journey I will not go alone, I will negotiate on behalf of the community but for those who have showed us arrogance, like UDA, we are sorry, we will not work with you. I can’t team up with Ruto and that’s me."

He accused the DP of handout politics that has left many leaders and Kenyans divided.

“We want that money being dished out in rallies used in meaningful projects. Ruto has tarnished peoples’ names because when he comes to a rally he points out someone that he will send him/her to bring some millions and when that fails that leader is left in hot soup with the electorate demanding cash,” he added.

He said Kenyans were tired of politics of deceit and empty promises where presidential hopefuls fail to honour their manifestos. He said as the fifth president he would create jobs for the youth. On the broken OKA marriage with Musalia Mudavadi, (ANC), he said he was ready to work with him as his deputy only for five years.

“Our brother left us and there is nothing wrong. I was ready to work with Mudavadi as my deputy and I was only going to serve for five years. I am 68 years old and I was ready to support him back. But he has decided to quit, and I don’t know what he will become in UDA,” the wiper leader disclosed.

Businessman Jimi Wanjigi, who is also contesting the presidency, said those asking Kalonzo to join Raila’s Azimio la Umoja movement, were betrayers.

“We have sat in Central Kenya and analysed the other two, Raila and Ruto and with Kalonzo on the other side and we have concluded that he is best fit to hold this country together,” said Wanjigi.

He said Raila betrayed Kalonzo through the handshake deal even after he (Wanjigi) had convinced him to deputise Raila in 2017 polls. The Wiper leader was accompanied by MPs James Kimilu (Kaiti), Jesica Mbalu (Kibwezi East), Robert Mbui (Kathiani MP), Benson Makali (Kitui central), Thadeus Nzambia (Kilome), Julius Mawathe (Embakasi South), Woman Reps from Ukambani, Senators Mutula Kilonzo Jnr (Makueni) and Agnes Kavindu (Machakos) among other leaders.

Ms Kavindu revisited what she termed as unpaid debts from Mt Kenya when Kalonzo supported retired President Mwai Kibaki, and later Raila, but both failed to reciprocate.

“We have locked Kalonzo’s presidency. We are locking this because we have a history of unfulfilled debts, for example in 2007, Kalonzo stood with Mwai Kibaki and he gave him all his MPs to support him and there was a promise to support him back, but that never happened. ODM leader has an MoU with Kalonzo and he was supposed to support him. There is no shortcut in this and that’s why Kalonzo will go all the way to the ballot,” said Kavindu.

Kilonzo Jnr told the ODM leader that he should expect no support from the region. “If Raila Odinga will not support Kalonzo, then let him know we are tired of supporting him as a community,” he said.

He accused other OKA principals, Mudavadi and Moses Wetang'ula of betraying Kalonzo by joining hands with Ruto.