- Wiper boss Kalonzo Musyoka has moved to consolidate his vote-rich Ukambani backyard with his eyes trained on the Presidency in the 2027 polls.
- The former vice president has convened a mega political event dubbed thanksgiving prayers at his expansive Yatta farm in Machakos.
Image: EZEKIEL AMING'A
Wiper boss Kalonzo Musyoka has moved to consolidate his vote-rich Ukambani backyard with his eyes trained on the Presidency in the 2027 polls.
The former vice president has convened a mega political event dubbed thanksgiving prayers at his expansive Yatta farm in Machakos.
Ex-President Uhuru Kenyatta, Azimio chiefs Raila Odinga, Martha Karua and Eugene Wamalwa are among those who are expected to grace the event.
“I want to invite you ndugu (brother) Uhuru and Azimio led by Raila. We are going to have a big Town Hall meeting like this,” Kalonzo said during Jubilee’s National Delegates Convention meeting at Racecourse in Nairobi.
Yesterday, Kalonzo’s allies termed the Yatta meetings a prayer event for leaders who won the seat in last year’s polls and hinted at heavy political undertones.
“When politicians congregate, you can’t rule out politics,” Kitui Central MP Makali Mulu, a close ally of the former VP, told the Star.
Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo said the meeting will be a thanksgiving for all elected leaders in the region.
Governors, Senators, MPs, MCAs, opinion leaders, grassroots political leaders are among those who have received invitation to the event.
“But we have also invited other Kenyans including Raila and Uhuru,” Maanzo disclosed.
Kalonzo has not been hiding his intentions to go for the country’s top seat in the upcoming polls after he shelved his bid in the last polls to back Raila for the third time.
Consequently, the Wiper supremo is widely expected to leverage the meeting at his home to make the big announcement.
Kalonzo has always summoned key Ukambani leaders to his Yatta home when making landmark political declarations in the past including his decision to work with Azimio.
Kalonzo enjoys massive support in his Ukambani backyard and has since 2013, delivered the vote bloc to Raila.
Those close to him intimate that he’s seeking the endorsement of the Azimio chiefs, especially Raila and Uhuru who enjoy massive following to mount a challenge for President William Ruto in 2027.
“Yes, if we are given a chance to speak as his supporters, don’t rule that out (asking Kalonzo to run and Azimio to back his bid) because we are his supporters,” Mulu said.
Maanzo declared that Kalonzo would run for presidency but was non-committal on whether he would make the declaration during the event.
“We never know when political statement is going to be made. But the truth of the matter is that Kalonzo will run for presidency. A lot of Kenyans are expecting him to ran on Azimio ticket.
Kalonzo's first stab at the presidency was in 2007 when he ran on the ODM-K ticket but came third behind then-President Mwai Kibaki and Raila.
In 2013, Kalonzo brokered a political deal with Raila under the Cord Coalition in which he deputised the then-opposition leader.
In 2017, Kalonzo was also Raila's running mate for the second time running under the Nasa coalition but lost to Uhuru like in 2013.
In the 2022 polls, Kalonzo was earmarked to be the Chief Cabinet Secretary in the Azimio coalition lineup but lost to President William Ruto.
During Jubilee’s NDC, Kalonzo scathingly attacked Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua for attempting to kill political and multiparty democracy that Kenyans fought for, leaving no doubt that he’s out for a political fight with current regime.
“We will not allow aggression against registered political parties and Jubilee is a main political party,” he said.
The Azimio chiefs have accused Ruto of rocking Jubilee through splinter group led by EALA MP Kanini Kega and nominated MP Sabina Chege.
-Edited by SKanyara