Kalonzo: Shuttle diplomacy not in vain

By PAUL MUTUA

Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka is confident Kenya's quest for deferral of ICC cases will sail through at the UN Security Council.

Dismissing claims his shuttle diplomacy was in vain, Kalonzo said several countries had registered their willingness to rally behind Kenya.

"Kenya is a respected country and the recent shuttle diplomacy we made with colleagues is not a mission in futility since most UN country representatives we met expressed willingness to support the deferrals," he said.

Kalonzo said his virtues of patience, resilience and tolerance had been misconstrued as cowardice and cunning.

He was addressing mourners during the burial of Loice Mutongoi Mang'ole, 105, mother to former Cabinet minister Nyiva Mwendwa, at Kalundu village in Kitui at the weekend.

Present were Nyiva, Defence Assistant minister David Musila, Makadara MP Kioko Mbuvi, Kangundo’s Johnstone Muthama, former ministers George Ndotto, Ngala Mwendwa, Francis Nyenze, Kyale Mwendwa and Kitui Central DC Joshua Chepchieng'.

Kalonzo said plans were underway to repair the Kibwezi-Kitui-Mwingi-Tharaka-Isiolo-Marsabit-Moyale road to improve links between Eastern counties and the rest of the country.

He called on residents to maintain unity of purpose and reject politicians who challenge his presidential quest.

Muthama and Mbuvi accused Prime Minister Raila Odinga of constantly throwing jabs at the VP.