Moi's Surprise Phone Call to Kalonzo That Gave Him a Job

Presidential appointments have always been a moment to look forward to as they almost always drag in surprises. 

The year 1998 was not any different as President Daniel Arap Moi handpicked his cabinet ministers.

In his autobiography, Against All Odds, Kalonzo disclosed that he received a cabinet appointment three minutes after a call from Mzee Moi.

   

"Stephen I would have given you something better, but you Kambas have let me down because you did not vote as in 1992. I have, however, allocated you the education docket but with something else on top," Moi stated.

According to Kalonzo, a few minutes after the call, news of cabinet appointments was broadcasted in the media and he was named the Minister for Education and Manpower Development.

The Wiper Party leader was however not pleased with his appointment as he expected a better position.

"In my mind, I thought Moi had wanted to appoint me the Vice President but must have been prevailed upon by my political adversaries to use the Kamba voting pattern as an excuse," he explained.

This was Kalonzo's second Ministerial position after he served in the docket of Foreign Affairs and International Relations from 1993 to 1998.

In 1986 he also served as the Assistant Minister for Works, Housing and Physical Planning. 

Kalonzo blamed his woes on opposition leader Raila Odinga who at the time positioned himself for leadership and in so doing placed several obstacles in his path.