Kalonzo Musyoka asks wiper leaders to stop fights that could wreck the party

By PAUL MUTUA

Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has urged Wiper Democratic Movement politicians to tame their tongues and avoid issuing public statements that could wreck the party.

Kalonzo told Mwingi Central MP Joe Mutambu who had spoken before him not to use the impending party elections to disfranchise and confuse members by engaging in sensationalism.

The former VP asked those aspiring for party positions to embrace unity and love and reject any intrusion by their political rivals to drive a wedge in the party’s fabric.

“Let us all guard against falling prey to the Jubilee Coalition’s trap with some in our midst losing the wide picture of the target. We want to emerge stronger after the April polls and sprint to the finishing lane in 2017,” said the Wiper leader.

Speaking in Mutwangombe location, Mwingi Central in Kitui County at a burial of Joseph David Mwanzia (JD) at the weekend, Kalonzo turned to Mutambu who had triggered the debate to go slow in his attempts to dislodge Kitui Senator David Musila as the party’s chairman.

Kalonzo said he did not comprehend any serious contest or misunderstanding between Mutambu and Musila and asked the MP not to “ignite political fires he cannot put off.”

Mutambu had told off Musila, vowing not to succumb to intimidation and bullying aimed at derailing his bid to replace the senator at the Wiper’s helm.

“I am not a push over. I hold Musila with high esteem and I don’t wish to engage in altercation with him. My urge is that he should respect other leaders in equal measure,” said the MP.

In a fury tone, Mutambu described as in “bad taste” a recent remark by the senator that he was a political novice unfit to be elected the party’s chairman.

“Do I become insignificant and irrelevant the moment I show interest to revamp and make the Wiper party more vibrant? I vigorously and fundamentally campaigned for Musila to become what he is today. Why is he now turning to brand me a political amateur? It is not fair,” Mutambu emotionally protested.

The legislator maintained that he was fit and capable of being at the helm of the party and urged for tolerance and mutual respect among leaders.

But Kalonzo called for tolerance and forgiveness, saying the journey to the land of Canaan should start in the earnest.