A storm is brewing in the Azimio La Umoja coalition following a fresh demand issued by allies of Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
Led by Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Junior, a group of Wiper leaders is now demanding that Kalonzo should be ODM leader Raila Odinga's running mate in the August 9, polls.
Speaking at a meeting in Wote, Makueni county, on Saturday, Kilonzo said the Wiper boss deserves the running mate slot.
"Sisi wanachama wa Wiper tumepigana sana ili Kalonzo awe mgombea kiti cha urais kwa sababu 2017 tulikuwa tumekubaliana na Raila kwamba Kalonzo atakua mgombea kiti,” he stated.
"Lakini kwa sababu Kalonzo anapenda Kenya, akakubali Raila awe mgombea kiti cha urais. Sisi tumesema na tunauliza apatiwe nafasi awe naibu wa rais wa Raila Odinga.”
Loosely translates to: "We as Wiper members have fought so hard for Kalonzo to be a presidential candidate as agreed in the 2017 deal. But because Kalonzo loves Kenya, he accepted Raila to be the presidential candidate. For that reason, we are asking he be given the running mate slot".
Kilonzo stated that failure to give the Wiper boss the running mate post risks destabilising the Azimio coalition.
He further noted that Kalonzo cannot go for anything short of a deputy president considering his political status.
The Wiper chairman noted that it will be difficult for them to drum up support for Raila in Ukambani if the Wiper boss is not given the DP seat.
“There would be a problem...we have nothing to tell the community and the people who support Wiper. For Kalonzo to forfeit the presidency for the third time, it must be accounted for something,” the Senator said.
On his part, Kalonzo said on Friday in an interview with Citizen Tv that he will be grateful if given the DP slot.
He noted that discussions are ongoing on who will deputise the ODM leader.
