- Kalonzo met Waiguru, Wambora and Njuki on his tour of the region.
- Part of the Wiper leader’s strategy includes roping in some of the bigwigs from the region to join OKA.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka is on a fresh charm offensive to woo the vote-rich Central Kenya as he musters a formidable team for the 2022 presidential run.
The One Kenya Alliance principal had a daylong tour of Mt Kenya on Tuesday to counter Deputy President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga who have made inroads in the region.
The former Vice President held meetings with three governors as he sought to endear himself to residents.
Kalonzo first met Embu Governor Martin Wambura in Nairobi for a breakfast meeting, before flying to Kirinyaga where he was hosted at Governor Anne Waiguru’s Kagio residence.
Kalonzo then wrapped up his day with a meeting at Chuka where he held talks with Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki.
Part of the Wiper leader’s strategy includes bringing on board some of the bigwigs from the region to join OKA, as well as reminding the region of his sacrifices to stabilise retired President Kibaki’s administration in 2007.
Kalonzo, who was also a 20o7 presidential contender, teamed up with Kibaki after the disputed presidential election that plunged the country into bloodletting.
“We are beginning the journey of climbing the mountain, we are climbing it from the right direction,” Kalonzo said.
“We are out to remind Kenyans that when the country is faced with a crisis, who is man enough to stand for the best interest of the country? Who was Mzee Kibaki’s Vice President? Who is it that had to take the bull by the horns yet we are not talking about paying debts.”
The Wiper boss disclosed that having Waiguru in the OKA ship is also one of his targets as he starts his tour of the region.
He said elevating the Kirinyaga Governor to the OKA principal will not only address the regional balance but will sort out the issue of gender in the alliance.
Currently, OKA is a male-dominated club with Kalonzo, Musalia Mudavadi (ANC), Moses Wetang’ula (Ford Kenya) and Gideon Moi (Kanu).
“As far as I am concerned, I will take the opportunity to ask governor Waiguru to join OKA because one of the critical observations we want is senior lady leadership at that level of co-principal,” Kalonzo said.
Wambora said the region will welcome all the presidential candidates to sell their policies to the region before making a decision on whom to back.
“We shall be welcoming all those presidential aspirants so that they can tell us what they have for our people,” the CoG chairman said.
Kalonzo was accompanied by a delegation of Wiper MPs.
His entourage included senators Mutula Kilonzo Junior (Makueni), Agnes Kavindu (Machakos), MPs Ben Momanyi (Borabu), Edith Nyenze (Kitui West ), Jessica Mbalu (Kibwezi East), Racheal Nyamai (Kitui South), Robert Mbui (Kathiani).
Also in the team were former Deputy House Speaker Farah Maalim, Irine Kasalu (Kitui MP), Joshua Kivinda (Kaiti), Charles Ngusya (Mwingi West), city politician Rehab Ndambuki and Kenya Medical Training College board chairman Philip Kaloki.
The Wiper boss also faulted the church for locking out politicians from their services insisting that politics and church are inseparable.
He said politicians should not be seen as sinners urging churches to embrace leaders and join hands in addressing challenges of the society.
“Please, do not make political leaders look like top-of-the-range sinners because we are not. All of us are equal before God. Do not categorise politicians as sinners,” he said.
“The bigger question is there really a separation between the church and politics? In my view there isn’t.”
-Edited by SKanyara