Kalonzo, Mudavadi play hardball on Raila’s bid to solve funds standoff

Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka chats with ANC's Musalia Mudavadi at Katangi, Machakos County, March 12, 2021. [John Muia, Standard]

Two National Super Alliance (Nasa) principals have defied ODM leader Raila Odinga’s request to put on hold their decision to pull out.

Coming days after ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi held a Parliamentary Group meeting to take note of the council’s decision to quit Nasa, Wiper Party is scheduled to hold its meeting tomorrow.

This even as party members said Raila had reached out to the Nasa principals to postpone their PGs until the political parties fund standoff is resolved.

Wiper has convened a special joint National Executive Council/PG meeting tomorrow to seek a resolution to pull out of Nasa.

“You are requested to attend a special virtual NEC meeting scheduled for Monday 26th July at 10am. Agenda: NASA coalition,” reads a short message sent to Wiper members by party Executive Director Justine Kyambi, also copied to the party leader, chairman Chirau Ali Makwere, Secretary-General Judy Sijeny and Kathiani MP Robert Mbui (Organising Secretary).

The meeting is scheduled to be attended by Taita Taveta Governor Granton Samboja, senators Mutula Kilonzo Jnr (Makueni), Enoch Wambua (Kitui), Agnes Kavindu (Machakos) and Slivia Kasanga (nominated) and over 20 MPs.

The meeting was scheduled for last Friday, but was postponed to allow Kalonzo to meet with Raila on behalf of Mudavadi and Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang’ula.

One Kenya Alliance (OKA) principals tasked their members to initiate the divorce proceedings with ODM before they can enter into a legal agreement this week. The Sunday Standard has learnt that ANC opposed the talks, with some members saying they would not get any money from ODM.

The feeling was also mutual among some Wiper members, who argued that ODM has denied them funds since the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD), and therefore the sought meeting to be arbitrated by Registrar of Political parties Ann Nderitu, is just a ‘smoke screen’ to forestall their divorce plans.

ANC deputy party leader Ayub Savula said the divorce had secured approval of the party’s council. “The PG we held on Thursday was to take note. MPs do not adopt or reject the resolutions. The ANC council, which is the top party organ, had endorsed the divorce,” said Savula.

Ford Kenya had scheduled a PG on Friday to ratify their exit from Nasa. “Ford Kenya was meant to convene its PG today but it was postponed after there was a preliminary report that Raila requested for more time to unlock the disputed political funds issue,” said Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa.