“There is no secret handshake between me and Uhuru,” Kalonzo tells Kibwana, critics

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka (L) chats with President Uhuru Kenyatta during the burial of his father, late Mzee Peter Musyoka Mairu. [File, Standard]

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has come out to defend himself over accusations that he secretly struck a deal with President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Mr Kalonzo wondered what deal, when and where it was formulated and told the doubting ‘Thomases’ to spare him the anguish.

“I do not have any deal with President Uhuru Kenyatta. I am just on the negotiating table and the contents will be put bare. My commitment as of now is to build bridges and help in healing this Country,” said Kalonzo.

In an apparent reference to Makueni Governor and Wiper Party Chairman Kivutha Kibwana, the former Vice President told off his critics, telling them he did not meet the president or decide to work with him with pre-conditions.

Speaking at Isinya, Kaputiei North Ward in Kajiado East during the Thanks giving ceremony of Wiper's Joshua Olouwasa, Kalonzo said he embraced the handshake to further and deepen the unity and cohesion of the nation after a sharply divisive political season. 

The National Super Alliance co-principal said the country was sliding into a dangerous political path and need for a truce and high level of patriotism to cool the tempers and forge a united front for the country. 

He said he took himself to the negotiating table so that the Kamba Community can have a stake as well in the building of the bridges initiative and heal the nation.

The Wiper leader added that after the disputed elections and the subsequent swearing in of “two” presidents’ there was need for a political solution hence the handshake. 

“After the handshake, I decided not to be left behind, we joined in the negotiating table, to bring Kenyans together, kill tribalism and build bridges for all,” he said.

Kalonzo said the “mamba” (crocodile) narrative was coined figuratively to symbolise that all Kenyans needed each other as we go forward in an effort to build nationhood. 

He says the crocodiles in the narrative represent Kenyans who were killed, maimed and also lost property during the struggle. 

“Kenyans were killed and maimed during demonstrations, MPs Robert Mbui and Antony Oluoch broke their legs during the struggle, those are the crocodiles we are talking about,” said Kalonzo.

Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku said he embraced unity immediately he was elected by appointing an inclusive cabinet, which has NASA and Jubilee leaders. 

Ole Lenku said the handshake initiative will heal the nation and spar growth and prosperity. 

Other leaders present were MPs Daniel Maanzo, Julius Mawathe and Peris Tobiko among others.