The One Kenya Alliance (OKA) has responded to Deputy President William Ruto’s offer to Wiper leader, Kalonzo Musyoka. The Deputy President reportedly approached Musyoka, seeking a deal that would see them form the government after the 2022 elections.
Speaking in Kakamega County on Friday, October 29, OKA leaders stated that they were committed to succeeding President Uhuru Kenyatta as a united front. The principals, Musyoka, Musalia Mudavadi (ANC), Moses Wetangula (Ford-Kenya) and Gideon Moi (KANU), announced that they will unveil their 2022 manifesto and presidential flag bearer in the coming weeks.
“This habit of people calling others at night and dictating to them on which political coalition to back must end. Let this be noted. Kenyans should be wary of leaders who seek to impose their authority on Kenyans,” Mudavadi stated.
“There are those who undermine OKA, but look, here we are and we have a mega plan to go on a tour around the country,” Moi added.
Kalonzo who was at the event played cagey with the deal he was allegedly offered by Ruto and instead focused on promoting OKA’s plans to revive the economy.
“We plan to cut taxation by 59 per cent to deal with the hard economic times brought by the culture of handouts,” Kalonzo stated in a thinly veiled response at Ruto and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader, Raila Odinga.
Ruto unveiled plans to offer each constituency Ksh120 million per year while Odinga promised the youth a Ksh6,000 stimulus package.
The DP was reported to have sent envoys to woo Kalonzo when the former toured the Ukambani region for nearly five days.
"I have no doubt that there are efforts to reach out to Kalonzo, and we are waiting to see what will unfold,” Makueni Senator, Mutula Kilonzo Junior, disclosed.
Sources within the DP’s circle further told a local daily that Kalonzo was afraid of the aftermath of the move and infuriating OKA co-principals.
"We are trying to reach out, two of his MPs are willing to join us but the hardliners seem to have scared him from any deal at the moment, some are saying it is still early," the insider revealed.
Further reports detailed that Kalonzo and Mudavadi had fallen apart over who would be the coalition’s flagbearer. Kalonzo reportedly proclaimed that he had many followers and was a senior to Mudavadi. The ANC leader, however, argued that he had a national appeal.
