We want Kalonzo to stick with ODM leader, MPs say

By Victor Nzuma and Paul Mutua

Machakos, Kenya: Two MPs from Machakos County together with the deputy governor have distanced themselves from remarks by some of their colleagues urging former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka to part ways with ODM Party leader Raila Odinga.

The two, Robert Mbui (Kathiani) and Patrick Makau (Mavoko), dismissed the calls as ill advised and aimed at ‘finishing’ Kalonzo politically.

The MPs had called on Kalonzo to ditch Raila and forge his own path in seeking the country’s top political office alone come 2017.

Speaking seperately, the two insisted that the pact reached recently by the three CORD principals for the 2017 General Election should remain, as it is the only weapon for the alliance to win the elections.

Presiding over a public meeting at Kalikya Primary School in his constituency, where he presented a cheque of Sh500,000 for the school’s expansion, Mr Mbui said the Kamba community was behind CORD during the last General Election and so far, nothing has changed.

Speaking in Athi River town, Makau said the MPs’ plea to Kalonzo was a calculated scheme by Jubilee to tame him politically and destabilise the region’s unity.

Meanwhile, three Ukambani MPs have termed unfortunate remarks by Kalonzo that they are allied to the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD).

Machakos Town MP Victor Munyaka, Mwala MP Vincent Musyoka and Yatta legislator Francis Mwangangi said it was regrettable for the Wiper Democratic Movement leader to forget that they ceased being members of his party after they were rigged out during the party’s nominations in the last General Election.

Dr Munyaka and Mr Mwangangi told Kalonzo they had no apologies to make for supporting the Jubilee coalition for sustainable development in their respective constituencies and Machakos County at large.

“Our current resolve is to protect and ensure Machakos County achieves tangible development and stand solidly behind Governor Alfred Mutua against continual attack from Senator Johntsone Muthama whose intention is to blackmail the governor,” said Munyaka.

In separate interview with The Standard in Kitui, the MPs pleaded with Kalonzo to be credible and stop being a “political cry baby” to redeem his fainting prominence.