By Ngumbao Kithi

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka says he has formed an alliance with Mvita MP Najib Balala.

The VP described it as “an alliance of patriots with the same vision for the country standing against those who preach hate”.

Balala praised the Mwingi North MP describing him a friend of Muslims.

“He has taken care of our interests as Muslims and people of the Coast,” he said.

Thursday, the VP brought together Balala, his nemesis Afya Rama and other leaders who have previously opposed Mvita MP as Kalonzo’s allies enticed him to join the Wiper Democratic Movement.

The VP says a formal declaration of the alliance would be made at the historic Tononoka Grounds at a later date.

“As people of Coast Province we owe you a debt. We owe you a debt as Muslims,” Balala told a cheering crowd. He said Kalonzo had taken care of the region by appointing Shakila Abdalla and Mohamed Abdi Affey and has dispelled perceptions that he was against Muslim.

Similar ideals

On Tuesday, he and several MPs joined Balala at an education function in Mvita where he described the Mvita MP as “a visionary” with whom they share ideals.

And Thursday, Kalonzo was in Ukunda and Lunga Lunga with key allies to drum up support for his party and revive his own presidential campaign following reports of estrangement within the G7 alliance. During the visit, the VP’s allies said Kalonzo was a friend of Muslims and victim of poverty in his early life and Coast people should feel at home with him.

Kalonzo’s initial edge as a frontrunner in the presidential race has diminished lately owing to growing suspicions among G7 leaders and emergence of Deputy Prime minister Musalia Mudavadi.

Balala suffered a political setback following his estrangement with ODM leaders and subsequent sacking from the Cabinet and has been eager to reinvent his dwindling fortunes.

As the two clasped hands before crowds at the opening of two secondary schools at Makupa and Makande in Mvita, Kalonzo described Balala as “a leader with ideas similar to mine” and claimed the two had been instrumental in the formation of ODM during campaigns for the 2005 referendum.

“I have come to announce that Kalonzo and Balala are together and will travel the journey together,” he said, adding that his Wiper Democratic Movement and Balala’s party will work together separately or as a coalition. “There will be coalitions or mergers but what is important is that we will be together. When the time comes we shall return to Tononoka Grounds to make an announcement and it will be an alliance of patriots.”

“He is a young man full of energy who can still serve you,” said Kalonzo. He also described the Mvita MP as a peacemaker pitted against “other leaders who preach bloodshed and division”.

And Balala said the VP had wrongly been portrayed as anti-Muslim yet he has nominated two Muslims to Parliament.

Balala vehicle

Although he has been associated with the yet to be launched Unity Party of Kenya, Balala hinted that he will bring his ‘vehicle’ close to the Wiper Democratic Movement.

“We are telling the Vice President that we will form a vehicle and it will be as fast as a horse. We will decide whether we will go alone or join others.”

Kangundo MP Johnstone Muthama said Balala shares interests with many leaders in the WDM and urged Balala to join them to defend Kalonzo. Mosop MP David Koech said Balala was wrongfully sacked from Cabinet.

Agriculture Assistant minister Gideon Ndambuki described Thursday’s meeting as first step and told Balala to decide fast. Kinangop MP David Ngugi said Kalonzo ought to be Kenya’s next president “because he believes in God and has no blemish and will deliver to Canaan.”

The Vice President said it was time Kenyans elect leaders who are committed to peace and stability.

Among those who accompanied Kalonzo were Assistant ministers Calist Mwatela and Ndambuki, MPs Balala, Johnstone Muthama, David Koech, David Ngugi, Benson Mbai, Isaac Muoki, Nominated MPs Sheik Dor and Abdalla.