The two, who have many historical similarities, have a date with destiny on August 9 that could resurrect their careers or send them to the political dustbin.
Kalonzo and Musalia have both served as the country's vice president but over the last ten years have been in the political cold.
Both have been promised the position of chief minister in the new administration by United Democratic Alliance presidential candidate William Ruto and Azimio’s Raila Odinga.
In the last few days, the two have been missing in national campaigns but have been traversing their strongholds to rally voters behind them.
Kalonzo enjoys support in Lower Eastern —Makueni, Machakos and Kitui—and is keen to deliver a huge portion of the 1.7 million plus votes to Raila.
In Western, Ruto and Raila are battling for 2.2 million votes in Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Busia and Trans Nzoia counties.
Kalonzo and Mudavadi have pitched tent in their bases in the last few days even as their presidential candidates campaign in other parts of the country.
The Wiper Party boss almost ditched Raila's camp after the ODM chief failed to name him running mate.
Kalonzo also warned that the Azimio presidential candidate would lose the election to Ruto without him as second in command.
Recent opinion polls show that the Deputy President has made inroads in Ukambani and may get even 30 per cent of the vote.
In 2017, however, both Ruto and President Uhuru Kenyatta got an average of 14.3 per cent in the three counties.
Raila got 83 per cent of the total votes.
The new reality could have informed Kalonzo's decision to comb through his backyard and other Akamba dominated counties.
On Tuesday, he held rallies in Mwatate, Mutisoni and Njukini in Taita Taveta county and on Wednesday he tour Machakos.
Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jr exuded confidence that Kalonzo will deliver Lower Eastern to Raila, even better that he did in the 2017 elections.
“As far as Wiper is concerned, we are holding more than 70 per cent (of Ukambani votes). If you talk about the presidential (race), it would be another 10 or 15 per cent from other Azimio affiliates. So...we are talking about more than 85 per cent,” he said.
When asked why the Wiper leader has not been joining Raila in the national campaigns, Mutula said they had decided to divide the task among themselves.
“It is division of labour. This is the time to protect votes from infiltration. If we can push ours to 90 per cent, the better for us. Our interest is reducing any influence by our opposition if at all, they have,” the senator said.
Kitui Central MP Makali Mulu also said Raila will get more votes in the three Lower Eastern counties than he did in the last election.
“For sure, this is the time it will be higher than what we have been giving Raila in the past. This time we are likely to go above 90 per cent, at least for Kitui county where I come from,” he said.
Mulu added that they have talked to their people and explained to them that their interests are properly catered for in Azimio.
“We have a big stakes in Azimio. We have a position of a chief minister. So, that is our selling point. That is the person that will be controlling the government, including the budget. What else can we get other than that?"
Musalia, who alongside Ford Kenya boss Moses Wetang'ula, have the difficult assignment of delivering 70 per cent of Western Kenya votes to Ruto who has also been camping in the region.
Speaking at a rally at Bumanyi in Mumias West constituency on Thursday, Mudavadi said he has tirelessly worked for the unity of the Mulembe community and time had come for the Luhya to heed his call and vote for Ruto as president.
He said the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition math to win the presidency has been neutralised by the unity exhibited by leaders and parties forming the Kenya Kwanza Alliance.
However, opinion polls suggest that Raila has maintained his grip of Western, although Ruto has narrowed the lead.
On Friday, Musalia will team up with Ruto for rallies in Busia and Bungoma.
They will again join forces on Sunday for rallies in Vihiga, Kitale and Kakamega.
They will be the last rallies to be attended by Ruto in the region.
Kalonzo will be with Raila on Friday for the last rally in the region.
The Azimio presidential candidate will hold his last rally in Western on Thursday at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega.
In the Kenya Kwanza coalition agreement, Mudavadi and his Ford Kenya counterpart Wetang'ula will receive 30 per cent of government resources, cabinet and ambassadorial appointments if they manage to deliver 70 per cent of the votes to Ruto.
Aside from the chief cabinet minister position earmarked for Mudavadi, Wetang'ula will be the National Assembly Speaker if they meet their targets.
The ANC boss has downplayed the buzz generated by the demand imposed on them by the Kenya Kwanza coalition,saying it is deliverable.
He has claimed that they wanted to deliver almost all Western votes to Kenya Kwanza but Ruto lowered the threshold.
Democratic Action Party- Kenya leader Wafula Wamunyinyi, however, dismissed the claim as a pipe dream.
He termed Mudavadi and Wetang’ula as selfish leaders while exuding confidence that Western is still a stronghold of Raila.
“The two should stop protecting and cheering the DP as he makes attacks on Luhya leaders,” he said.
DAP-K is an affiliate of Azimio and has fielded candidates in Western alongside other member parties.
In Ukambani, Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua has claimed Ruto has made significant strides in the region.
Mutua is tasked with delivering a 35 per cent target of the Lower Eastern vote to Ruto.
(edited by Amol Awuor)
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