VP rejects G7’s offer for majority leader

By Daniel Nzia and Onesmus Nzioka

Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka has rejected an offer for Majority Party Leader, a position he is reportedly being considered for in the G7 Alliance, saying he will run for president.

Mr Musyoka dismissed claims he had agreed to take the position of Majority Leader in a power deal in which presidential aspirants Uhuru Kenyatta runs for presidency, and William Ruto running mate.

“I am a man of my own and wish to assure my supporters I am prepared to go all the way,” he said. The VP, however, confirmed talks between him and Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi were still on course to chart an alliance.

He spoke even as his close allies accused some politicians of seeking to undermine the VP. Education minister Mutula Kilonzo took issue with members of the G7 Alliance for giving Kalonzo a raw deal by offering him the position of Majority Leader. “Some people are like the squirrel, they forget very fast. How can they treat a VP who teamed with President Kibaki to stabilise the country when it was on fire after the 2007 General Election so badly?” Mutula posed.

The Mbooni MP said the Kamba would not agree to be used by politicians for selfish interests. He warned the community would resist any attempts to use it as a stepping-stone. “We shall not allow ourselves to be used like door mats any more. This is totally unacceptable,” declared the minister. He was speaking in Kibwezi Constituency in Makueni County where he laid a foundation stone for Makindu Teachers Training Teachers College. Mutula was accompanied by area MP Philip Kaloki, his Makueni counterpart Peter Kiilu, County Director of Education Kariuki Gatheru, Teachers Service Commission County Director Mary Karitu and Makindu DC Naomi Mwangi among others.

Prof Kaloki said they had set aside Sh5 million to complete the project that was build under the economic stimulus project for completion before the admission of the first batch of students later this month. The minister, who will be launching his bid for the Makueni Senate seat today clarified that the forum will not be used to sign a political pact between Wiper and ODM parties.