Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka explained his role in the appointment of President Uhuru Kenyatta as Deputy Prime Minister during President Mwai Kibaki's second term.
Speaking during a luncheon between OKA principals and Mt Kenya leaders on Thursday, October 7, Kalonzo stated that Kibaki was hesitant to appoint another Kikuyu to high office.
At the time, there were political tensions in the country after the 2007 post-election violence.
"Mzee Kibaki was a nationalist, he told me Vice President, you want me to appoint another Kikuyu?
“You remember the Kofi Anna Talks when Raila appointed Mudavadi… and then I was in PNU alliance with Kibaki… I told him, yes! And Uhuru became the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Trade, and eventually, the Minister for Finance,” Kalonzo stated.
Following the Grand Coalition government of Kibaki and then Prime Minister Raila Odinga, members of Kibaki's kitchen Cabinet got divided on who between Narc- Kenya leader Martha Karua, George Saitori, and Kenyatta would be appointed as Deputy Prime Minister (DPM).
Those supporting Kenyatta argued that their family money had played a major role in Kibaki’s re-election while those in favour of Karua argued she had been loyal to the then President and defended him fearlessly.
The Wiper leader lightly commented that the current President owes him one bearing in mind that the appointment to the seat helped him score the presidency.
Kalonzo also took the opportunity to rally Kenyans to come out and vote during the 2022 presidential elections.
He noted that OKA believed in zero tolerance to corruption.
“OKA’s vision is to have an inclusive government, where nobody is left behind," he stated.
