Why I’m best bet for OKA flag bearer – Kalonzo

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka believes he is the best candidate to fly the One Kenya Alliance’s flag in the 2022 presidential race.

The former vice president extended an olive branch to ODM leader Raila Odinga to join OKA and back him for the top seat.

In an exclusive interview with the Star, Kalonzo said if all factors were to be taken into consideration, the three other OKA bosses should back him for the country's top job

“I don’t believe in negative energy. If things are taken in a balanced manner, my friends should defer their ambitions for me. I can’t rough it on them. It is a discussion issue and I am sure we will discuss and agree,” he said.

The other OKA chiefs are Musalia Mudavadi (ANC), Kanu’s Gideon Moi, and Moses Wetang'ula of Ford Kenya.

He said he would never be bossy if endorsed by the OKA team.

“I believe I am balanced, hence they should give it to me. I am a team player and I have demonstrated that many times, selflessly,” Kalonzo said.

He cited his support for Raila in the 2013 and 2017 elections as a demonstration of his selflessness and steadfastness in his political decisions.

“I believe in both occasions we won and it wasn’t even a matter of money. We did not even have the money but we won, and then again we did not win,” Kalonzo added.

The Wiper leader is facing competition from Musalia who has equally maintained he is the ideal candidate for OKA and will be on the ballot in 2022.

Kalonzo said his secretariat has done a SWOT analysis on the respective candidates with “results indicating he stands a better chance.”

“I believe the time is now. Let our supporters not despair. We are bringing the revolution. OKA is coming not as an alternative but the real deal.”

Even as he exuded confidence of winning, the Wiper boss is faced with opposition in his backyard where three governors have decided to chart their own political paths.

Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana and his Machakos counterpart Alfred Mutua, whose backing would have boosted the Wiper bargain, have declared they will be running for president as well.

On this, Kalonzo said he embraces democracy “which allows varied thoughts,” adding that they are not at the level of fighting.

“We cannot stop leaders from taking positions but they must appreciate that many are saying it is time for Kalonzo to be president. Once I am a flag bearer, you will see the governors support me,” he said.

On his insistence on vying, the former VP said, “We are negotiators. I am always guided by what is in the best interest of the country. I believe my people will look at me in that respect.”

While at Radio Jambo, Kalonzo said he stood a chance to deliver the Kenyan dream, unveiling his economic model christened ‘Uchumi Maradufu’.

He laid down plans for a 24-hour economy where a day is divided into three parts of eight hours each, as a way of enabling more people to secure jobs.

“We need a change of mindset. The economic transformation we need is that we must embrace a 24-hour economy to enable youths to lift themselves economically. It is time for the 24-hour economy to save us.”

“If Gikomba traders were allowed to work at night, of course with adequate security, think of the kind of economy we will build,” Kalonzo added.

“Time for change is now. It is time to save the country. When I speak of Coastal towns being a free port, people don’t understand but I have the experience to deliver this.”

He also pledged to deal firmly with corruption should he form the next government, further adding that he would also adopt the public-private public partnerships as a path to spurring development.

On why he wants the backing of the OKA team and Raila, the Wiper boss said the country was standing on a precarious ground politically, citing the revolutionary call built around the hustler movement.

“As we approach next year, emotions will run high. I am getting concerned because someone comes up with a revolutionary call yet we praise him. It is a challenge of our time and we have to deal with it,” he said.

Raila, in an earlier sentiment on the matter, said there should be no talk of people asking for his support or that of President Uhuru Kenyatta by the sheer fact they were running mates.

This was in response to Ruto’s take in Kwale that he had helped the former Prime Minister ascend to power, saying the same was the case of Uhuru.

“It is not Ruto who helped Uhuru. They helped each other. Each was looking for a seat. I ran with Kalonzo and he was looking for VP seat. There is nothing like helping…all are looking for jobs,” the ODM leader said.

The Wiper boss nonetheless said he is unsure of what the ODM leader discussed with the President after their handshake as he was not part of it.

He, however, maintained that having struggled with the former Prime Minister on many occasions, he finds it difficult to say anything bad about the ODM boss.

“All I can say is that the former Prime Minister would become a phenomenal statesman if he endorses me for the top seat.”

The former VP said the country’s problem rests with the trust deficit in Kenyan politics, citing how he also watched the handshake on TV like every other Kenyan.

While maintaining he would be in the race to the end, the Wiper leader dismissed assertions that the Oka luminaries were being whipped to support Raila.

“We are not dragging because we are being pushed to support Raila. There is nothing like being whipped to support Raila. It is normal in a democracy for the President to speak with leaders.”

He added that Oka was preparing and will give a line-up when the right time comes. “When preparing a first 11 team for a football match, you can’t speak of the line-up one year to the match.”

“Our hope is that we will reveal our line-up soon,” the former VP added, “the meetings with President Kenyatta have been largely about how to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic.”

On his contribution to the country for the period he has been active in politics, Kalonzo said he shares the credit given to the former President Mwai Kibaki administration.

“I have never been president but I was VP for Kibaki. When I was VP, we grew the economy; Kenyans had money in their pockets. It was at our time when the GDP grew to seven per cent which was the highest.”

He also claimed credit for ending corporal punishment and free primary education, which he says should equally apply to secondary schools, and if the economy allows, universities.

-Edited by SKanyara