Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, on Wednesday, June 17, addressed reports linking him to joining President Uhuru Kenyatta's cabinet.
As the ink dried on the documents, the issue of the degree of cooperation between the parties arose including whether the former vice-president would take up a cabinet position if offered.
Kalonzo who spoke after signing a cooperation agreement between his party and the Jubilee Party made it clear that he is still not 'very keen' on being part of the government.
He stated that it would not be wise for him to accept the post prior to the general election.
"It would not be wise to join cabinet two years to the election as that would mean relinquishing my position as the Wiper Party Leader and it is only for two years," he opined alluding to aiming for a big seat in 2022.
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The post-poll deal signing comes amidst claims of a looming Cabinet reshuffle by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Expressing exuberance after sealing the deal, Kalonzo stated that the parties would work together in the run-up to the 2022 General Election.
"We have accepted the president's call to work together. We are happy that we have been so well received by the Jubilee Party," Kalonzo stated, moments after the signing.
Former Bomet Governor also led his Chama Cha Mashinani (CCM) in signing a deal with the ruling party.
We were the first party to have a ‘Handshake’ with Jubilee. We thank Jubilee for going out of their way to work with all leaders. We want a handshake between election competitors to be a norm in Kenya. As CCM, we are for peace," Isaac Ruto stated following the signing of the new deal.
In My, 2020, reports of looming Cabinet changes were rife with speculation that the former governor would take up a Cabinet role as the president is expected to kick out DP Ruto's allies from the Cabinet. In January 2020, former Agriculture CS Mwangi Kiunjuri, a close ally of DP Ruto was fired, and reports allege that Energy CS Charles Keter may be on his way out too.
Kalonzo has served in both the late President Daniel Moi and President Mwai Kibaki's cabinets with his first stint as the Minister of Education and Human Resource Development in 1998 before being appointed Minister of Tourism and Information in 2001.
Under Kibaki, he served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, before taking over the Environment docket before switching to the Home Affairs Ministry till 2013.
