Coalition for Reforms and Democracy co-principal Kalonzo Musyoka has asked Kenyans to disregard reports that he is set to join the Jubilee government. The Wiper Democratic Movement leader said the aim of those spreading the information is to cause discontent in the Opposition and ensure CORD leaders go separate ways and subsequently assist the Jubilee retain power in 2017.
Speaking during a Wiper Special Delegates Conference at Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi, Kalonzo said he would never join President Uhuru Kenyatta’s government in any capacity.
“There have been stories on the Internet and some blogs that I am planning to join the Jubilee government as a Cabinet Secretary. Some of these reports say that I am set to replace my sister Charity Ngilu in government. I want Opposition supporters to know that that is pure propaganda being bandied about by our opponents. The information should be treated with contempt,” he said.
“I would rather die than betray my conscience by joining a government which in my opinion has already failed in its mandate to Kenyans. Let Kenyans know that Kalonzo cannot be compromised like other people,” he said at the meeting which was attended by his co-principal Moses Wetang’ula.
CORD leader Raila Odinga, who is out of the country, was represented by Siaya Senator James Orengo at the function. A host of other leaders, including senators David Musila (Kitui) Johnstone Muthama (Machakos), Hassan Omar (Mombasa), Mutula Kilonzo Jnr (Makueni), Ken Mong’are (Nyamira), Governors Julius Malombe(Kitui), Hussein Dado (Tana River), MPs Badi Twalib (Jomvu), Hezron Awiti (Nyali) and Chris Wamalwa (Kiminini) also attended.
Kalonzo said CORD would remain united up-to the next General Election and expressed confidence that they would form the next government.
“We have agreed amongst ourselves as the top CORD leaders that nothing should put us asunder. None of the three of us can be duped and we will not repeat the mistake we did in 2007 and 2013 where we went separate ways,” said the former Vice President.
“Raila, Wetang’ula and myself have agreed that if anyone of us is called to State House, we won’t respond without letting each other know that we have been invited there. We have learnt lessons from the defeat we suffered in previous polls,” he revealed.
Wetang’ula echoed similar sentiments and said he was ready to support whoever emerges top among the three of them for presidency in 2017, revealing that is the mutual agreement among the trio.
“We are all firsts amongst equal. We shall stick together to rescue Kenyans who are tired and angry with the poor leadership of the Jubilee government. We will remain united because divided we will fall,” said Wetang’ula, who noted that if any of them becomes President, then it will a win for all of them.
Jomvu MP Badi Twalib, who spoke on behalf of MPs, endorsed Kalonzo for the country’s top seat and asked his fellow co-principals to support him in the 2017 elections.
“Kalonzo is a senior politician with impeccable credentials. He is a clean man with no scandal to his name in all the positions he held. We are asking Raila and Wetang’ula to support him in the coming polls,” he said.
During the meeting, a list of new party officials was unveiled and a ratified Constitution adopted by delegates.
Amongst the new party officials is Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar, who is now the party Secretary General. He replaces the late Senator Mutula Kilonzo.
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