5 tweets UDA leaders have sent to support Kalonzo

By , K24 Digital
On Fri, 6 May, 2022 12:17 | 4 mins read
UDA reacts to Azimio's running mate puzzle
Kalonzo Musyoka with DP William Ruto. PHOTO/Courtesy

UDA leaders have reacted to Azimio la Umoja - One Kenya coalition party's process of picking Raila Odinga's running mate even as the selection process enters the homestretch.

For this reason, Kalonzo Musyoka's name is featuring prominently in both camps with diverse opinions concerning his suitability and political muscle.

Raila's Azimio la Umoja - One Kenya Alliance last week formed a selection panel that would vet all candidates wishing to deputise Raila, a thing that did not augur well with Kalonzo who has termed himself as the best suited to be Raila's running mate.

UDA leaders are 'standing' with the Wiper Leader
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka. PHOTO/Courtesy

The selection panel includes Bishop Peter Njenga, Archbishop Zacchaeus Okoth, Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua, Dr Noah Wekesa, Sheikh Mohamed Khalifa, Michael Orwa and Beatrice Askul Moe.

Initially, there were talks that potential candidates would be grilled by the panel to assess their suitability, something Kalonzo has been opposed to. Kalonzo and his allies have pointed out his "political stature" as deserving some respect, saying he cannot be grilled by his juniors.

UDA stands with Kalonzo?

As a result, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party leaders led by Ruto came to defend Kalonzo, asking Azimio to accord the former Vice President some 'respect'.

On Wednesday, May 4, 2022, Ruto termed the alleged interviews as "humiliating" to a person of Kalonzo's level, asking his opponents to avoid politics of deceit.

"Though we are competitors, to subject HE Kalonzo to some humiliating 'interview' is impunity. We must unite to eliminate the culture of political deceit, the hallmark of some politicians. Whatever the circumstances, every leader deserves some dignity and respect. Heshima si utumwa," Ruto wrote.

Former Kalonzo ally, Johnson Muthama, who is the current UDA chairman termed the interview an insult to Kalonzo.

"I may differ with Kalonzo politically but subjecting him to an interview for DP position is demeaning and an insult. Never again should our people be used by few individuals to execute their egotistical objectives," he tweeted.

Former Law Society of Kenya President Nelson Havi, who is eying the Westlands Constituency seat under UDA highlighted Kalonzo's stint in leadership, telling Raila not to listen to the panel to make a choice.

"H E Dr Kalonzo Musyoka SC, MP, Minister Education, Minister Foreign Affairs, VP 2008-2013, Running Mate to Presidential Candidate 2013, Running Mate to Presidential Candidate 2017. Baba Raila Odinga, you have your Running Mate. Stop listening to those raccoons interviewers," Havi said.

UDA leaders are responding to Azimio's plan to interview Kalonzo for Raila's running mate position.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka. PHOTO | FILE

UDA and Omanga

Despite saying that he does not want support from UDA, nominated senator Millicent Omanga threw her weight behind Kalonzo, terming the interviews as disrespect.

"H.E Kalonzo Musyoka doesn't deserve the disrespect, humiliation and contemptuous belittling he's being subjected to currently. He doesn't," Omanga tweeted.

Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetangula, who joined hands with UDA to form Kenya Kwanza Alliance, accused Raila of betraying his comrade, by denying Kalonzo a direct appointment to become his running mate.

"He is at it again: disrespecting & humiliating his comrades. Now HE Kalonzo is to prostrate himself before Raila loyalists to demonstrate his “suitability” to be a running mate. SKM you deserve better! The outpouring anger is justified," tweeted Wetangula.

Not joining UDA

Speaking in Mlolongo, Machakos County, on Thursday, Kalonzo refuted claims that he had a hidden pact with Ruto-led wing, saying that his main aim was to defeat UDA.

UDA leaders don't want Kalonzo to be subjected to a running mate interview
Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka with ODM Leader Raila Odinga. PHOTO/File

“Others are saying that UDA members are defending me; I don’t want UDA to defend me, I want to defeat them. I don’t have any relationship with UDA at all; I am a person of integrity, I want to defeat DP Ruto and his wheelbarrow team so that Kenyans can find a way to move forward, but it won't be possible,” Kalonzo said.

The selection panel has until May 10 to recommend suitable names for Raila's running mate, who will choose the preferred candidate before May 16, the deadline set by the IEBC.

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