Kalonzo dismisses Kindiki overtures, vows to stay in Opposition
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
What you need to know:
- Mr Musyoka said Prof Kindiki's appeal was part of President William Ruto’s wider plan to scuttle the Opposition.
- Prof Kindiki described Mr Musyoka as a nationalist who was associating with politicians known for ethnic balkanisation.
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has turned down Deputy President Kithure Kindiki’s call to ditch former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua political camp.
Mr Musyoka said Prof Kindiki's appeal was part of President William Ruto’s wider plan to scuttle the Opposition.
Gen Z blood on their hands
“I cannot work with or meet people who have Gen Z blood on their hands including that of Albert Ojwang. I will always be on the side of the people,” Musyoka said after attending a church service in Nairobi.
On Saturday, while leading President Ruto’s allies in a fundraising event to support women’s groups in Wote Town, Makueni County, Prof Kindiki described Mr Musyoka as a nationalist who was associating with politicians known for ethnic balkanisation.
A day earlier he had promised to reach out to the Wiper leader.
“Kalonzo is hanging out with people who are not his type. They are used to the politics of insults. He is a lawyer and they should stop misleading him. They’ve started inciting him, calling him their cousin,” Prof Kindiki said.
“They should know that Kalonzo is my brother. I respect him. The same people now misleading him are the ones who previously insulted and undermined him and the Kamba community saying the Ukambani vote was insignificant and that the region didn’t deserve infrastructure projects because it was not part of the government,” he added.
But in a measured response, Prof Kindiki acknowledged Mr Musyoka’s political choice but expressed disappointment over his “unkind” remarks.
“I respect his decision to remain in opposition. But I caution him if he continues peddling falsehoods, I won’t hesitate to respond. Respect is a two-way street,” the DP said via social media.
For over 10 days, Prof Kindiki has crisscrossed Ukambani holding fundraisers in Machakos, Kitui and Makueni counties. At each stop, he urged locals to help persuade Mr Musyoka to abandon opposition alliances particularly with former DP Rigathi Gachagua and join hands with President Ruto.
“Mr Musyoka and Mr Gachagua are strange political bedfellows. Kalonzo has a legacy of peacebuilding while Mr Gachagua thrives on divisive, tribal politics,” the DP said.
He assured residents that he would continue to engage Mr Musyoka.
“I respect him as a senior in law and politics. We want Ukambani to develop like every other region,” Prof Kindiki said.