Broad-based bait: Kenya Kwanza on expedition to fish Kalonzo

Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka may be preparing to reconsider his political stand, a move that could undermine the opposition’s bid to relegate President William Ruto’s rule to a single term.

In the wake of Deputy President Kithure Kindiki’s whirlwind tour of the Ukambani region, claims of Kalonzo and Kindiki’s growing political dalliance have emerged with some observers pointing to sustained efforts by Kenya Kwanza to woo the lower Eastern region leader into its fold.

The Sunday Standard has now learnt that Deputy President Kindiki and former Vice President Kalonzo have held a series of consultative meetings in the lead up to the ongoing six-day Ukambani tour.

During the meetings, offers from Ruto’s camp have been made to entice Kalonzo into joining the so-called broad-based government.

Kenya Kwanza sources said the duo has met four times, with the latest meeting being held on Wednesday this past week.

During the meetings, the Wiper leader is said to have expressed frustrations with how things were playing out in the opposition camp.

Kalonzo has joined forces with the Democracy For Citizens Party (DCP) leader and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua, DAP-K Party leader Eugene Wamalwa and former Attorney-General and Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi among others to mount a formidable opposition to the President Ruto administration ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The issue of who will be endorsed to become the opposition’s flag bearer in the lead up to the polls has, however, created uncertainty and fears of betrayal among the hopefuls, with Kalonzo now said to be forging a contingency plan.

“Kalonzo feels betrayed by the others. The meetings have been to convince him to join government. Should he do so, his seat and party’s position within the broad-based government would be ratified,” said a highly placed source within the Presidential circle.

Alluding to recent developments where Gachagua unveiled his DCP party — and on which he intends to vie for presidency — and where government ally turned critic Muturi regained control as leader of the Democratic Party, the source claimed these were indications that the opposition was not intent on endorsing Kalonzo as their flag bearer.

Kalonzo’s allies acknowledged to the Sunday Standard of Kindiki and Ruto’s overtures towards Kalonzo but held the line in maintaining that Wiper party would not be joining Kenya Kwanza.

Kathiani MP Robert Mbui, however, dismissed Kindiki’s sentiments as political antics meant to appease locals ahead of the President’s tour of the region. 

“I can authoritatively tell you that Wiper party is not interested in working with Kenya Kwanza. They keep telling the masses that a ‘big seat’ in government has been reserved for Kalonzo but I wonder which one that is because Ruto’s broad-based government has already been constituted. The only seat we are interested in is Ruto’s. So unless Ruto has resigned, I don’t see what we would be talking about,” stated Mbui.  

“I’m sure that they would probably offer to kick out Kindiki for Kalonzo in consideration of the numbers that Kalonzo would bring to their fold but we are not interested in joining a government whose systems have failed.”

Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo detailed having a discussion with his party leader, Kalonzo, on Friday during which he (Kalonzo) assured him of his intention to stay put in the opposition and unseat Ruto come 2027.

“That is just wishful thinking from Kenya Kwanza that we, Wiper, will be joining the government. We as Wiper have nothing in common with Kenya Kwanza. They stand for theft of public resources and we stand for the people.By peddling such a narrative Kenya Kwanza is trying to use it to make inroads in the region and divide it” he said. Another MP who sought anonymity within Kalonzo’s camp noted that Kindiki courting Kalonzo was not a new thing and until a formal offer was put on the table, they would not entertain any discussions.

During his tour of the lower Eastern region, Kindiki has continuously buttressed his resolve to bring Kalonzo aboard the Kenya Kwanza ship.

Speaking on Saturday in Wote town in Makueni Constituency, during an empowerment forum for micro and small-scale traders and women youth groups, Kindiki said there is no enmity between him and Kalonzo who served as Vice President between 2008 and 2013.

“I respect Kalonzo. I will talk to him because what we want to see is development of the region like every other part of the country,” the DP said.

The Deputy President has been spearheading empowerment forums in the region for the last week and has been to Machakos town, Masinga, Kangundo, Yatta, Mwala, Kitui East, Kitui Central, Kitui South, Kaiti, Kilome and Makueni constituencies.