ANOTHER TROUBLE IN AZIMIO AS KALONZO’S ALLIES CHANGES TUNE

Days after reports emerged that wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka is set to join Azimio One Kenya Alliance coalition, allies close to the former Vice President have revealed that  Kalonzo will go all the way to the ballot.

Mr Musyoka launched his presidential bid two weeks ago in Nairobi and shortly after he left the country for Europe. Days later, a section of his allies asked him to consider going back to Azimio la Umoja One Kenya after a meeting in Machakos county.

However, In an exclusive interview with a local daily, Makueni Member of Parliament Dan Manzo revealed that Mr Musyoka was determined to go all the way to the ballot box given that he was the most experienced of all the leaders seeking to take over from President Uhuru Kenyatta whose second term ends in August.

“I would like to assure Kenyans that Kalonzo Musyoka will be on the ballot box seeking the president’s seat in August, he already has two million votes in his basket and will be venturing out in various parts of the country in search of support,” said Mr Maanzo as quoted by Standard.

Mr Musyoka’s entry into the presidential race is likely to upset the political arithmetic of the two front runners Deputy President William Ruto and Mr Odinga.

The Wiper leader commands a huge chunk of the two million Ukambani votes and even if he does not emerge winner, he will determine who ascends to power in case of a run off.

During Wiper aspirants meeting in Stoni Athi Resort, Machakos county, last week, majority of those in attendance voted to support Mr Musyoka going back to Azimio.

Meanwhile, a section of the media revealed that Wiper party had reportedly made a demand for at least four cabinet slots on top of the Chief Cabinet Secretary post offered by Azimio la Umoja presidential aspirant Odinga.

They demanded that Mr Odinga to hand it the Energy, Water, Health and Tourism dockets.

It is also demanded a 30 per cent share of diplomatic posts.

But Governors Kivutha Kibwana (Makueni) and Charity Ngilu (Kitui) had also dug in in, saying Mr Odinga should not give Mr Musyoka preferential treatment should the latter rejoin Azimio la Umoja.

Prof Kibwana, who is in charge of Azimio campaigns in Makueni, Machakos and Kitui counties, had demanded that the alliance involve leaders of affiliate parties in any talks with Mr Musyoka.

“Finally, Wiper has decided to join Azimio about two months to elections. Dialogue with Azimio leadership must involve those of us who have been selling Azimio in the region; those who did the heavy lifting,” Prof Kibwana said.

Sourced from Kenyan report