Kalonzo Musyoka's dilemma over presidency, Azimio deal

Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka during an interview with the Standard Media. [Samson Wire, Standard]

 

Wiper Democratic Movement presidential aspirant Kalonzo Musyoka is walking a tight rope five days before he presents his papers to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

Mr Musyoka launched his presidential bid two weeks ago in Nairobi and shortly after left the country for Europe. Days later, a section of his allies asked him to consider going back to Azimio la Umoja One Kenya after a meeting in Machakos county.

Wiper party submitted Mr Musyoka’s name and endorsement signatures to IEBC last week.

The Wiper leader launched his presidential bid after Azimio presidential aspirant Raila Odinga failed to pick him as running mate and instead settled on Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua.

“My name is before the IEBC as the Wiper Democratic Party presidential candidate, our country needs an alternative in national leadership, Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka is the best choice for Kenyans as the next President after the August General Election,” he said while launching his State House bid.

Mr Musyoka’s entry into the presidential race is likely to upset the political arithmetic of the two front runners Deputy President William Ruto and Mr Odinga.

The Wiper leader commands a huge chunk of the two million Ukambani votes and even if he does not emerge winner, he will determine who ascends to power in case of a run off. Makueni MP Daniel Maanzo told The Standard that Mr Musyoka was determined to go all the way to the ballot box given that he was the most experienced of all the leaders seeking to take over from President Uhuru Kenyatta whose second term ends in August.

“I would like to assure Kenyans that Kalonzo Musyoka will be on the ballot box seeking the president’s seat in August, he already has two million votes in his basket and will be venturing out in various parts of the country in search of support,” said Mr Maanzo. Wiper party presidential running mate Andrew Sunkuli said that they were ready to be on the presidential ballot and will appear with Mr Musyoka before the IEBC on Saturday.

The Nairobi-based businessman who had declared interest in the Narok Senate seat before he was nominated running mate said Mr Musyoka has always put the interests of the country first.

“Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka is politician who has always put the interests of our country above his own personal interests, I will be supporting him in all decisions that he makes that are good for the country, I can tell you that he will make the best President for this country given a chance,” said Mr Sunkuli.

When Mr Odinga named Ms Karua his running mate, he nominated Mr Musyoka as the Chief Cabinet Secretary if Azimio forms the next government.

Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu said that she was ready to occupy the position that Mr Musyoka declined since it did not belong to him but to the Kamba nation.

The governor believes that the Wiper party leader was misled to bolt out of Azimio. Mrs Ngilu said that the Kamba community will remain in Azimio and support Mr Odinga since they do not want to be in the political cold for the next five years. “The Kamba Nation is supporting a leader who is going to form the next government and that’s none other than Raila Odinga,” she said.

During Wiper aspirants meeting in Stoni Athi Resort, Machakos county, last week, majority of those in attendance voted to support Mr Musyoka going back to Azimio.