Kalonzo joins Azimio campaigns after Raila camp meets demands

Kalonzo Musyoka had been silent since he hosted President Uhuru Kenyatta and Senator Gideon Moi at his Karen home. [Dennis Kavisu, Standard]

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has joined Azimio presidential campaigns after a deal on sharing of government slots, his allies now claim.

Kalonzo has also had the coalition party name altered and factoring in One Kenya Alliance (OKA) in the final document to be submitted to the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties.

On Friday, affiliate parties signed a coalition agreement and changed the name from Azimio la Umoja to Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya Coalition.

The coalition name was one of the contested issues after the parties signed a deal to back ODM leader Raila Odinga as its presidential candidate.

Yesterday, Kalonzo allies confirmed he has since joined Raila in the campaigns after his demands were met. There were, however, scanty details of what positions will go to OKA should Raila form the next government even as Kalonzo's camp indicated that talks were ongoing to make him the running mate.

On Saturday, Kalonzo joined Raila for campaigns in West Pokot. Yesterday, the two were in Turkana on the campaign trail.

Until Saturday, Kalonzo had been silent since he hosted President Uhuru Kenyatta and Kanu Chairman Gideon Moi at his Karen home on March 19 amid reports of disgruntlement in his party.

Yesterday, Wiper vice-chairperson Mutula Kilonzo Jnr said the outstanding issues were sorted before the Friday signing.

"The agreement signed this week sorted part of the outstanding issues," said Mutula Jnr.

Wiper vice-chairperson Mutula Kilonzo Jnr. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

He said the principals have since settled on government structure as well as the coalition name. He also suggested that it has been agreed on what government slots will be taken by Kalonzo side.

"The name of the coalition and the structure of the government has since been agreed upon," he said.

He said the KICC signing did not spell out any form of agreement to guide the affiliate parties in running of government should the coalition form the next government.

Mutula Jnr said he was aware of discussions to have Kalonzo as the running mate but could not confirm the status.

Makueni MP Dan Manzo said some of the demands have been met.

"We gave our irreducible minimum, and some have since been met. What we are now lobbying for is to have Kalonzo as the running mate," said Manzo.

But Raila's camp said sharing of government positions was yet to be discussed. ODM deputy party leader and Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya said the coalition was crafted on the premise of trust and will only talk about sharing of positions after winning the elections.