By Philip Muasya

With the prospect of former Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka staying in political cold for five years, talk is now rife that his political nemesis, now a Cabinet nominee Charity Ngilu, could be angling to fill the void.

Mrs Ngilu’s supporters contend she is best suited to replace Mr Kalonzo because she is the only key leader from the region, who will ensure the community is in Government if she survives parliamentary vetting.

The former VP has so far shown little interest, if any, of going back to Parliament as proposed by the CORD leadership.

Speaking last weekend while attending a burial at Ithumbi village, Waita location in Mwingi North constituency, Kalonzo called for an end to debate on his return to Parliament saying he has a lot to do.

“I have not asked anybody to step down for me yet this is a discussion hyped repeatedly. Is requesting to be given space to concentrate on my next move too much to ask? Please give me a break,” he said. MPs Joe Mutambu, (Mwingi Central), Francis Nyenze (Kitui West) and Patrick Makau (Mavoko) were present.

Kalonzo’s apparent lack of interest to return to Parliament is what has aroused Ngilu’s supporters, most of whom are nudging her to grab the opportunity and upstage the former VP in Ukambani.

Supporters of the Cabinet nominee for Lands, Housing and Urban Development Ministry, say she should now chart the political direction for the community.

Mr Peter Kalungu, immediate former Narc councillor for Kwa Mutonga ward in Kitui West District and an ally of Ngilu, said she deserved to be rewarded for sticking with President Uhuru Kenyatta during turbulent times.

“It would have been unwise for President Uhuru to leave out Ngilu in his Cabinet after a grueling campaign for him in Ukambani. Her development record is another asset and we are certain she will perform in her new docket,” Kalungu said.

Relinquished

Another Ngilu supporter, Mr Josphat Mulyungi, said she lost the Kitui Senatorial bid to David Musila for supporting Uhuru.

“Ngilu is a calculating politician who seizes an opportunity when she sees it. With Kalonzo out of Government, the community should rally behind Ngilu to benefit fully from the Jubilee Government,” said Mr Mulyungi.

But speaking to The Standard On Sunday, Narc CEO Alex Ng’ang’a said Ngilu’s immediate concern is to serve Kenyans but not to fill the void left by the former VP. “Ngilu is not taking over from Kalonzo.  Her disagreements with the former VP have been about development. Once she is appointed minister, she will continue delivering services to the people as she has always done. She has no intention of replacing anyone either in Kitui or Ukambani,” he said.

Mr Ng’ang’a said the Cabinet nominee has already relinquished her party position to concentrate on the task ahead.  “She has resigned as Narc party leader. There is a huge void left but in due time the party organ will choose her replacement. She will hit the ground running once she is appointed in her new docket to serve Kenyans,” he said.

However, a section of Kitui County residents feel Ngilu is operating on borrowed time saying appointment to the Cabinet will not add any value to them. Mr Kimanzi Musili, a businessman in Kitui town scoffed at the suggestion that Ngilu would take over from Kalonzo.

“What political strength does she wield? Every person knows Ukambani and indeed Kitui County is a Wiper zone. Ngilu might be appointed to the Cabinet but regionally, she will have no say. She can’t overshadow Kalonzo,” Musili affirmed.

He faulted President Uhuru for nominating Ngilu to the Cabinet even after voters rejected her, terming the move as mockery to the Kamba community. He said there are many professionals in Ukambani who can replace Ngilu.

“Uhuru’s move to nominate Ngilu is simply a mockery. He is telling us though you rejected Ngilu, I will force her onto to you. In such an environment Ngilu will not be respected as a minister,” Musili opined.

He said Ngilu  surviving vetting will depend on whether the exercise will be professional or political.

The former Cabinet minister’s critics argue she is a political reject who does not warrant recycling through a Government appointment.