Is Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka losing grip on Kamba politics?

Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka is a man in trouble. Kalonzo, who is fighting to maintain his influence in Ukambani politics, appears to be losing political grip on a majority of youthful MPs who were elected under Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) affiliate parties and even within his Wiper party.

MPs Victor Munyaka (Machakos Town), Kisoi Munyao (Mbooni), Francis Mwangangi (Yatta), Stephen Mule (Matungulu) and Vincent Musyoka (Mwala) are among the youthful leaders who are coalescing around Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua.

Mr Munyaka avers that Kalonzo, unlike Raila, has no touch with the electorate on the ground and there is a new shift emerging among the youthful leaders to take over the mantle of leadership.
"Kalonzo's political grip is waning. He wants to micro-manage everything in Ukambani politics. He must now support development and the young leaders," said Munyaka.

However, the close ally of Kalonzo elected on Chama Cha Uzalendo (CCU) admits that should the former VP be picked as the CORD presidential torch bearer, the political scenario would change.

According to Munyaka, Kalonzo squandered his chance in the Jubilee administration, where he was given an opportunity to be either the Senate speaker or Senate majority leader.
"We both belonged to the G7 group but Kalonzo ditched the group to support Raila. I opposed his move and it cost me my position in Wiper, which forced me to seek mandate at CCU. His move cost him dearly," maintained Munyaka.

The other MPs did not respond to inquiries by The Standard.

However, Kalonzo dismissed Munyaka, insisting that he is not in Wiper and that he used his name and Raila's to clinch his seat.

END WRANGLES

The former VP said that contrary to the perception that all is not well in the Wiper party, the decision to deal with party 'rebels' is bringing sanity back in the party and he still holds the grip.
"There is no Wiper member who has defected or is a rebel. I think some of those people are just testing the waters. We will be rolling out programmes that will ensure that Wiper is strengthened and brings all leaders together," said Kalonzo.

He said there should be no cause for alarm even with the challenge facing Makueni County dissolution petition, saying that as Kamba leaders, they are consulting to ensure the wrangles come to an end.
"We know we have challenges and are consulting and so there is no cause for alarm. The party is still young and like any other, we have our own challenges but in the end, we shall overcome and emerge as a cohesive party," said Kalonzo.

Governor Mutua however had a different view. The Machakos Governor admitted that generational change is inevitable. Noting that the younger generation needs to respect the elders and founders of the political machinery, Mutua said older leaders need to nurture younger and more energetic leaders and view them as partners.

He said that currently, any young person who appears to work hard is seen as an enemy to be 'finished' politically so that the old order remains in control forever.

"Times have changed and wananchi want to see and not just hear of development and change. Our people are very poor. Kalonzo has done his bit and should support some of us who have come up with new 'chap chap' ways of bringing development. Kalonzo can teach us a lot but he has chosen to join hands with the likes of Senator Johnstone Muthama," said Mutua.

Although Mutua has been accused of being a Jubilee mole, he has maintained he is still in Wiper party, and those accusing him for working with the Jubilee administration are doing so because he has championed development in Machakos.