The whipping of a Wiper Democratic Movement candidate in a ward by-election in Kambaland, the base of presidential aspirant Kalonzo Musyoka, is a warning to the gentleman of politics.
Politicians take too long to notice the ground beneath their feet is shifting. Kalonzo, a former vice president, has a rich past, but a shaky hold on his political career prospects. This is strange for a former Cabinet minister under two presidents.
But Kalonzo is more than that: He is a two-time presidential running mate of a team that lost elections in dubious circumstances. As Raila Odinga’s presidential running mate in 2013, under the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy, the ticket lost the election by 8,000 votes.
The winning votes were padded to give Uhuru Kenyatta’s The National Alliance, and William Ruto’s United Republican Party a 50-plus one leap.
The Supreme Court under Willy Mutunga’s presidency dismissed the presidential election appeal on a technicality, rather than on account of evidence.
Kalonzo knows the National Super Alliance ticket lost the 2017 presidential election in dubious circumstances. The Supreme Court confirmed this when it nullified the results, and ordered a fresh presidential election.
The experience should give insight into political trends. But strategy does not seem to be the lawyer-politician’s forte. Someone should wake up Kalonzo to the beats of the moment.
The former MP’s political influence is waning. Kalonzo’s governor in Kitui county, Charity Ngilu, won the seat on the National Rainbow Coalition party ticket in 2017. Kalonzo was then a presidential running mate. Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua leads Maendeleo Chap Chap party. Mutua often belabours Kalonzo’s fading influence in his backyard.
Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana, an on-and-off Kalonzo ally, is in Muungano party. Kibwana is running for president. He has no confidence in Kalonzo’s viability as a presidential aspirant.
Kitui, Kalonzo’s home turf, elected four MPs on the Jubilee party ticket. They are supporting the wheelbarrow party, instead of cheering Kalonzo to the presidential podium.
Former Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama, a Wiper party founder and financier, fled to Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance. Muthama is the UDA chairman.
Taita Taveta Governor Granton Samboja, who was elected on the Wiper ticket, is supporting Raila for president.
Kalonzo, the strongest pillar of the One Kenya Alliance, which he shares with Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi, Ford Kenya’s Moses Wetang’ula, and Kanu’s Gideon Moi, is losing grip of his turf.
Former Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar, who was Wiper secretary general, is routing for William Ruto’s presidential run. ‘Zipapa’ Ali Makwere, a former Wiper chairman, has defected to ODM. Kalonzo is lonely in a crowded field of wannabe presidents.
It’s hard to tell what excites the confidence in the politician, who is sailing against the current. But again a man shouldn’t lose confidence in himself. A man must try – ni kujikaza tuu.
Kalonzo means well for Kenya. Many would wish to have his credentials, name and influence, which are largely in the past. But Kalonzo does not seem to know when to take stock of his clout.
He does not seem to understand that the people around him are cheering him on to self-destruction. Kitui Senator Enock Wambua and Makueni’s Mutula Kilonzo Jnr are holding Kalonzo by the tie. They are telling him: ‘We want to cling on to your coat to retain our seats. You must run for president, or the Kamba will disown you’.
The win of Timothy Maneno, who was an independent ward rep candidate in Nguu-Musumba ward, Makueni, is a protest vote. The Wiper candidate wobbled in third, after the UDA candidate.
Bwana Kalonzo listen to Kibwana. Listen to Ngilu. Listen to Mutua. You cannot win the presidential race, or even Ukambani kingpinship, without their support.
