By Roselyne Obala

NAIROBI, KENYA: The campaign to have former Vice-President’s Kalonzo Musyoka return to the National Assembly appears to have hit a snag.

This is after Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama admitted that their efforts to strike a deal with the elected legislators from Eastern region had not borne any fruits.

Wiper Party has now revealed that they will be reaching out to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), which is a partner in the CORD alliance, to hammer a deal.

Surprisingly, even as Muthama, who has been spearheading the planned move together with party chairman Senator David Musila, disclosed that talks had collapsed, party MPs were of the contrary opinion.

CORD had resolved on Monday that Musyoka should head back to Parliament and take up the position of Minority Leader currently held by Kitui West MP Francis Nyenze in an acting capacity.

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga remains outside Parliament.

Rongo MP Dalmas Otieno had also declined to comment on the issue, terming their next move  a ‘guarded secret’.

Musila on Tuesday maintained that there was no stalemate as they were working on modalities to have the former VP rejoin the House.

Yesterday, Wiper Party indicated that they would consult their colleagues in ODM to have one of their MPs give up his position for Musyoka.Makueni MP Dan Maanzo was shocked to hear the latest developments and questioned when the leaders arrived at the decision.

“We have not held any meetings or discussed the matter. I have not attended any Wiper meeting,” stated the MP.

Stalemate

Speaking to The Standard on phone, Mwingi Central MP Joe Mutambo dismissed Muthama’s statement, saying as a party they have not held any meeting to deliberate on Musyoka’s issue.

“Am not privy to any meeting or Press conference and if Muthama revealed that the talks have stalled, he is in a better position to tell the public about it,” he said.

Mutambo, who is reported to have declined to step-down for Musyoka together with his Mwingi North Counterpart John Munuve, distanced himself from any consultations.

“It is wrong to discuss such matters in the media. This is not the right way to deal with such delicate matters,” he cautioned.

He challenged Muthama to make his public pronouncements that he is ready to step down for Musyoka by doing.

“If indeed he is sincere, let him resign first then make it public,” he said.

Former Education minister Mutula Kilonzo, who is reported to be against the move, is yet to publicly declare his position concerning the matter.