Kalonzo Musyoka in talks with Gachagua in bid to 'build strong coalition'

When Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka had a conversation with former Deputy Presiident Rigathi Gachagua after addressing mourners during the burial of Field Marshal Muthoni Kirima at Kinunga Stadium in Nyeri on Sept  22, 2023. [Kibata Kihu, Standard]

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka yesterday confirmed they were having talks with ousted former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, describing it as a move to “build a strong coalition.”

Responding to questions about potential discussions with Gachagua, Kalonzo said they would work with everyone to consolidate the opposition in Kenya.

“We will talk to everyone going forward to build a strong coalition. What I can say is that there will come a time when we will ask everyone to validate their membership in Azimio and expand,” he said at his SKM Centre, where he received a peace award from the National Community-Based Organizations Council.

There has been speculation that Kalonzo and Gachagua are preparing for a political realignment following Gachagua’s impeachment and Azimio La Umoja leader Raila Odinga’s move to work with President William Ruto in their broad-based government arrangement, which saw Raila’s allies named in the Cabinet.

In a veiled criticism of Raila, Kalonzo claimed that some Azimio leaders had benefited from the “blood and sweat of Gen Z protesters” who took to the streets three months ago to oppose the controversial Finance Bill 2024.

“Some of us in the Azimio family are benefiting from the blood and sweat of the many Kenyans who went to the streets, and the whole world noticed the efforts of Gen Z. In my view, the revolution continues until these issues are fully resolved,” he said.

He criticised the government for failing to compensate families who lost loved ones due to police brutality during the protests.

“Families are still waiting; there has been no compensation, no talks, and no indication of a willingness to engage with these families. Justice demands that we do not make promises we have no intention of keeping. They were just looking for an escape route, and they found it,” Kalonzo said.

DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa also called for justice for Kenyans who lost their lives during the protests, accusing the President of going back on his word when he assured that the victims’ families would be compensated.