Kalonzo's influence in Ukambani is gone, says Muthama

UDA National Chairman Johnstone Muthama speaks with Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka (right) after a meeting, 2014. [Beverlyne Musili, Standard]

Former Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama has urged members of the Akamba community not to support Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka who he said has lost political direction.

"Don't follow Kalonzo blindly. As a community, we are likely to miss out on government unless we join a political formation that is capable of winning the next elections," said Muthama who is also the chairman of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) which is headed by Deputy President William Ruto.

Muthama accused Kalonzo, who for a long time has been perceived as the political leader of the Kamba community, of failing to provide leadership to residents.

"We expected him to guide the community on the right political alliance, ahead of the August General Election, so we can have a share on the national cake but he did not," said Muthama who spoke in Tala town on Thursday.  

He added: "It will be a tragedy for the Akamba community to follow Kalonzo because there is no indication he is headed anywhere politically. It's time our community decided its political direction, away from Kalonzo." 

"The influence of Wiper party and its leader in Ukambani has diminished. This is demonstrated by the recent defeat the party suffered during the Nguu/Masumba Ward by-election in Makueni County where Wiper's candidate came a distant third behind an independent candidate and the eventual winner, a UDA candidate. What does this tells you? It simply means Kalonzo's party no longer calls the shots in this region.”

He added: "The party (Wiper) was also defeated hands down by governor Alfred Mutua’s Maendeleo Chap Chap candidate in Mutonguni by-election. Don't forget the ward is in his (Kalonzo’s) Kitui backyard.”

Muthama accused Kalonzo of failing to seal pre-election coalition deals beneficial to the community with other political parties ahead of the elections.

“The Akamba people are not fools. They can see that other communities have rejected ethnic-based politics that he (Kalonzo) seems to be focusing on and are even ready to vote for leaders from other communities," he said.

If we follow Kalonzo, we will have isolated ourselves and we will perish with him because he is headed toward political destruction. Let us not allow this, said the former legislator.

Muthama said Kalonzo has failed to live up to the expectations of his supporters who, through numerous resolutions during Wiper's National Delegates Conference, endorsed him to vie for the presidency or form coalitions with like-minded political leaders but he failed.

“Even after being endorsed for the presidency on several occasions, he (Kalonzo) has never made a serious move. He just chooses to idle around buying time and waiting to be approached by other candidates. I want to tell him that no one is interested in looking for him. He should know he is on his own,” said Muthama.

Last week, Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jnr said One Kenya Alliance (OKA) was not seeking to join other coalitions. This came amid claims of negotiations with ODM leader Raila Odinga’s Azimio La Umoja.