Kalonzo names Malombe as his preferred governor, tells Musila, Ngilu 'kaa kando'

The two-day tour by the National Super Alliance presidential running mate and Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka in his Kitui County home turf, early this week, has left no doubt that he prefers Governor Julius Malombe to retain his seat against Senator David Musila and former Cabinet Secretary Charity Ngilu.

During the tour, Kalonzo was categorical that he did not want “aibu” (shame) should a different party win in his backyard and Kitui County at large which will weaken his national political grip.

Criss-crossing the Mwingi North Constituency, which he once represented in Parliament, the former vice president told the residents to steadily stand by him all through and to vote for candidates allied to his Wiper party. He traversed Katse, Kyuso, Tseikuru, Ngomeni, Kamuwongo and Nguutani areas.

“It will be comical if my party candidates will not win in their respective seats in my own political base. It will appear like being at the top (Presidency) while putting on a trouser without suruali ya ndani (undergarment)!,” Kalonzo said to the amusement of the crowd he was addressing.

He, however, hinted at an elaborate plan to ring-fence the region for NASA.

Awkward position

“Jubilee should know that the home owner is back. I do not want political romances in my region, especially in Kitui,” Kalonzo said.

He also warned Wiper MPs - Joe Mutambu (Mwingi Central) and John Munuve (Mwingi North)- who defected to Jubilee that they will be harshly crashed.

The Wiper leader then directed Dr Malombe, party’s senatorial candidate Enock Wambua, woman Rep Irene Kasalu, Mwingi North parliamentary nominee Paul Nzengu and county assembly aspirants in the entire county, who were present, to work harmoniously to deliver most votes to the party and to secure Ukambani from “Jubilee invaders’”.

The move will not go down well with Mr Musila and Mrs Ngilu who are both running against Malombe (Wiper) in the August polls.

Musila resigned as the party chairman, blaming Kalonzo for his loss to Malombe in the party primaries.

Ngilu is the Narc party leader, which is not affiliated to NASA. But the former CS has since mended her political ties with Kalonzo and is campaigning for NASA.

Musila, who polled 74,308 votes against Dr Malombe’s 88,380, has accused Kalonzo of conspiring with his opponent to deny him victory.

The senator subsequently resigned as the party chairman and vowed to teach Kalonzo and Malombe a lesson as an independent candidate.

In the meantime during the tour, the NASA co-principal said the August 8 elections will be the most significant period in his political calendar as he eyes the Presidency in 2022.

He popularised his “No retreat, No surrender” clarion call.

Booking complete unit

Without mincing words, on Monday he said this election will be make-or-break moment in his 32 years in politics, and urged Kenyans to give the alliance’s flag bearer, RailaOdinga, an opportunity to actualise his State House dream by propelling NASA to power.

“This year’s elections provides an opportunity to the Kamba community in particular to rise to the occasion and realise that such an opportune moment will not knock your door again in the lifetime of the current political dispensation,” said the NASA leader.

“It is an open secret that my brother Raila will serve for one term from 2017 to 2022 and then handover the leadership mantle to me. We are confident with the current overwhelming support from Kenyans, NASA will win in August,” he declared.

The former VP assured the Kamba that his go at the presidency was as good as attained if they refused to be misled by their rival Jubilee.

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