Kalonzo adopts a ‘Mr Clean’ strategy

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has adopted a new strategy as he seeks to endear himself to the Kenyan voters. Kalonzo, according to his allies, is keen to project himself as "clean politician" who has never been mentioned in corruption activities. His team has advised him to vigorous campaign, defend his public record and dismiss his critics based on their public record and not waste any opportunity to fight what they think is "unfair perception".

The VP picked the tone on Saturday when he attacked those who are campaigning on the reforms during the day while they are involved in scams at night. “We need to audit some leaders; you cannot be a reformer during the day while at night your name is mentioned in the Triton saga. The next day it’s the maize scandal. It’s time we expose these people,” he said in Lavington, Nairobi.

Kalonzo is understood to have directed his reply to Prime Minister Raila Odinga who had earlier on declared his rivals as non-reformers who cannot be trusted with the implementation of the new constitution. The VP has also embarked on a journey to win over his critics especially those in Ukambani as he seeks to consolidate the over one million Kamba votes

On Sunday, Kalonzo received former minister Francis Nyenze, a top ally of Water minister Charity Ngilu. He has also managed to bring back outspoken Yatta MP Charles Kilonzo to his fold. The VP is said to have sent emissaries to Ngilu, MPs Harun Mwau (Kilome) and Keima Kilonzo (Mutito) as part of uniting the Kamba. “Kalonzo does not want to exclude any leader from Ukambani. A leader must first get support from his home and it’s true he is approaching all elected leaders,” said engineer Joe Mutambo.

Mutambo, who is one of the VP's key strategist, said that soon Kenyans will see a new Kalonzo. “We are used to seeing a Kalonzo who is perceived as toothless and cannot fight but now he will come out strong to show his true colours,” Mutambo added. After his weekend remark, the VP held a meeting with Ukambani leaders at Nyenze’s Karen home to seek their blessing to launch his bid.

The leaders who included Akamba Council of Elders committed to support him while talking to other leaders such as Ngilu, Mwau and Kiema.

The following day on Monday, Kalonzo held a rally in Machakos where he arrived in a symbolic horse and escorted by motor riders “Some have declared next year’s election as two-horse race and as you saw in Machakos, the VP just told you he is one of those horses,” a top ally of the VP added.

Today, Kalonzo moves to Makueni, then Kitui on Friday and end his Ukambani whirlwind tours in his Mwingi home district on Saturday. “The journey starts after the Mwingi rally on Saturday. We must win this struggle this time round because there is no way that evil can triumph over good,” announced Kalonzo. His PA and spokesman Kaplich Barsito said that their campaign team will release a programne of nationwide campaigns after the Mwingi rally.

During the Machakos rally, Wiper Democratic MPs Johnstone Muthama and Shakila Abdala defended the VP’s clean public record. “I know one thing about Kalonzo for sure; he can’t sell public cemetery, he can’t seat maize meant for the poor nor be involved in the oil saga (Triton),” Muthama told the crowd. Shakila added; “He has the requisite experience and has already stepped on the door of state House, let just hand him the keys to open the door and enter.”