Wiper leader, Mr Kalonzo Musyoka’s allies have rubbished reports that he is under pressure to return to Azimio La Umoja One Kenya and take up the position of the Chief Cabinet Secretary assigned to him by Mr Raila Odinga.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Makueni Member of Parliament, Mr Dan Maanzo, stated that the party was not in any way engaged in any negotiations with the Azimio faction since the party bolted out.
He went ahead to mention that Mr Odinga, through his ally Mp Junet Mohamed, had indicated that he has enough votes to propel him to the presidency, without the backing of Mr Musyoka.
“I am not aware of any negotiations between our party leader and the Azimio faction. We have not had any engagement with them so far,” Mr Maanzo remarked.
“Why would we engage in negotiations yet Raila does not need us? He already said through Junet that he has enough votes and does not need our backing.”
Mr Maanzo went ahead to state that should any negotiations between the Wiper boss and the Azimio commence, the party would make such information public to avoid any misinformation and speculations.
He also noted that Mr Musyoka was scheduled to travel to the United Kingdom over the weekend, hence no negotiations would have taken place at that particular time.
Reports had indicated that Mr Musyoka was under pressure from a section of Ukambani leaders to return to Azimio, a week after he cut ties with the faction and announced his presidential bid.
While announcing his bid, Mr Musyoka accused the Azimio La Umoja presidential flag bearer, Mr Raila Odinga, of reneging on an agreement to pick him as his running mate, rather settling on Narc Kenya leader, Martha Karua.
On Sunday, Jubilee Vice Chair, David Murathe, argued that Mr Musyoka was still in Azimio despite announcing his presidential bid. Mr Murathe noted that there were concerted efforts from leaders to have Mr Musyoka back in Azimio.
Efforts to reach the Wiper Party were futile as his phone went unanswered by the time of going to press.
Other reports indicate that Kitui governor, Charity Kaluki Ngilu, was warming up to the Chief CS position that Mr Musyoka abandoned. Although she has not deserted her gubernatorial re-election bid, she has been reported as the favourite to take up the position.
The Ukambani region seems to be divided with a section of leaders backing Mr Musyoka - the region’s reigning kingpin, while another section led by Ngilu and her Makueni counterpart, Prof Kivutha Kibwana support Mr Odinga’s bid, and a third faction led by former Machakos Senator, Mr Johnon Nduya Muthama, and outgoing Machakos governor, Mr Alfred Mutua, supporting the candidature of Deputy President, Mr William Samoei Ruto.
