•On Sunday, Ruto’s allies welcomed the ex-VP to UDA days after it was reported that the Wiper leader was open to talks with the DP.
•Kalonzo allies Dan Maanzo (Makueni) and Benson Momanyi (Borabu) however cautioned that it will be a big mistake for Kalonzo to support Ruto.
Image: FILE
MPs allied to Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka have ruled out chances of the former Vice President teaming up with Deputy President William Ruto ahead of the 2022 elections.
Speaking to the Star, the legislators cautioned their party leader against signing a deal with the DP and instead urged him to pursue a reunion with ODM leader Raila Odinga.
On Sunday, Ruto’s allies welcomed the former VP to UDA days after it was reported that the Wiper leader was open to talks with Ruto.
They spoke at AIPCA in Kikopey where Ruto was attending a church service.
Kalonzo allies Dan Maanzo (Makueni) and Benson Momanyi (Borabu) however cautioned that it would be a big mistake for Kalonzo to support Ruto in the race to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The lawmakers said Kalonzo is better off working with Raila if he must join any formation outside the One Kenya Alliance.
Kalonzo, Musalia Mudavadi (ANC), Gideon Moi (Kanu), Moses Wetang'ula (Ford Kenya) are currently in Oka.
Maanzo, a close confidant of Kalonzo, told the Star that it is wishful thinking for anyone to imagine that Kalonzo can join Ruto.
“We will not join Ruto even the Kambas who are with him are few people who were in Jubilee last time and they were swept thoroughly in the last election. They are inconsequential,” Maanzo said on phone.
“You know former Nasa principles understand each other better, we have gone through challenges together but we don’t know who Ruto is.”
This is however a change of heart by the Wiper MP who in September warned Kalonzo against backing Odinga for the top seat.
The Makueni MP said any deal between the Wiper boss and Raila should be made with utmost honesty to avoid teething problems that haunted Nasa to its deathbed.
“With politics, everything is changing, we are just hoping that these people will be honest with each other,” Maanzo said.
He also dismissed as untrue reports that Kalonzo was open to engaging the DP.
Momanyi said the Wiper leader’s best interest is in working with Raila who is set to announce his candidature on December 9.
“We have not headed in the direction of working with Ruto, former Nasa principals should come together. That is the best option,” the Borabu MP said.
Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo however differed with his colleagues saying the Wiper boss has a free hand to engage any side of the political divide.
He said Kalonzo should study the camps and join a winning side where his interest is well catered for.
“Wiper has given our party leader to negotiate and build a winning coalition. The collation must be of mutual respect, understanding and goodwill,” Mutula said on phone.
“His experience does allow him to be belittled or assumed.”
The talks of the Kalonzo-Ruto pact comes at a time the ODM leader is planning to take his Azimio la Umoja consultative meeting to Kalonzo’s Machakos backyard this Friday.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris