Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana in a statement Monday, May 9, accused Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka of being an obstacle to the ODM party leader Raila Odinga’s presidential bid.
Governor Kivutha said he is not impressed by the tactics Kalonzo has been using in his campaigns to deputize Azimio’s Raila Odinga, adding that the entire Wiper fraternity is undermining Azimio One Kenya Coalition.
He called upon top Azimio leadership led by Raila and President Uhuru Kenyatta to act fast in salvaging Azimio before it is too late.
“It is clear Wiper was never in Azimio. Evidently, it has no intention of joining Azimio. Up to now the party has never campaigned for Raila in Ukambani. Only the three Ukambani governors did so and raised Raila’s popularity in the region to about 65 per cent,” Kivutha stated.
The Makueni governor made these remarks hours after Kalonzo and a section of Wiper politicians rallied at Wote Town in Makueni County where they continued to pile pressure on Azimio’s flag bearer Raila Odinga to pick him as his running mate.
Raila was expected to grace the event organized by a section of the local clerics but excused himself.
Moreover, Mike Sonko’s entry into Wiper party has encouraged Kalonzo Musyoka’s allies. The former vice president’s allies including Senators Mutula Kilonzo Junior of Makueni, Enoch Wambua of Kitui, MP Daniel Maanzo and Makueni Woman Rep Rose Museo are the faces of the hardliners in Kalonzo’s fold.
These politicians have discouraged the wiper boss from attending the vetting process of shortlisted Azimio running mate contenders which was scheduled for Monday May 9.
According to them, subjecting Kalonzo to vetting is unnecessary as it is undermining and humiliating. In addition, they threatened to ditch Raila’s presidential campaigns on Tuesday May 10, if the ODM leader fails to pick the Wiper boss as his running mate.
“Mr. Odinga has a responsibility of picking Mr Musyoka as his running mate because the Kamba community has stood by him for long. In the event that Mr Musyoka is not picked as Mr. Odinga’s running mate, we shall ditch Azimio,” Mr Wambua said during the church event at Wote Town.
Nonetheless, Proff Kivutha Kibwana beleives that Kalonzo has roped in the clerics and his hardliners to kill Azimio.
“Where on earth does a potential running mate blackmail a presidential candidate so as to be made a deputy by attacks, abuse, vitriol, confrontation, and guile? In which democracy?” Kivutha posed.
“Such a strategy is deployed where one knows they may not qualify but wants to build sympathy among a section of the electorate. Wiper wants to shore up its dwindling fortunes by inciting the Kamba community against Mr Odinga. Wiper is working so hard to alienate the Kamba community from the rest of Kenyans. But the community is wiser than before.” He added.
