The three Ukambani governors have sensationally claimed Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka is demanding Sh3 billion to Join Raial Odinga’s Azimio movement.
Governors Alfred Mutua (Machakos), Charity Ngilu (Kitui) and Kivutha Kibwana of Makueni told a press conference that Kalonzo, who is leading the One Kenya Alliance, is demanding the amount as a condition to back Raila for the third time.
“We are ready to work with likeminded people to change the lives of Kenyans. But others have said they will stay aside as they wait and prepare themselves and tehn they will decide. But we know they are waiting for money,” Governor Mutua said is Swahili at joint press conference with Ukambani professionals and business persons at Maanzoni Lodge in Machakos county on Saturday.
“Sisi tayari tunajua ya kwamba wameitisha shilingi billioni tatu. Wale wanaitishwa pia wanatuambia,” Governor Mutua added.
Kalonzo has previously said he would be stupid to support Raila for another time, having been his running mate in 2013 under CORD and in 2017 under NASA.
There have, however, been talk that there are ongoing talks to have the former Vice President support Raila in his fifth stab at the presidency.
The three county chiefs, who have already joined the Azimio movement, accused Kalonzo of being on the sidelines, not to prepare for his second presidential bid, but waiting to be paid to reciprocate with his backing. He has been the Ukambani kingpin, delivering the region’s vote bloc to Raila almost to a man in the last two elections.
But the governors now accuse him of attempting to auction the Kamba community for selfish gain.
Governor Ngilu said although the community is poor, it still has its dignity and must not be auctioned.
She even proposed that they fundraise the amount as a community and gift it to Kalonzo.
“Honestly, anybody from within our community who is still waiting to be asked to come, that’s now wasting our time. And if they want to be given something, then he can come to the community and we will fundraise the amount so that he can set our people free because we need to go,” Ngilu said.
Kibwana said Kalonzo should desist from making too many demands and conditions to join Azimio.
He said the Wiper leader should join Azimio bandwagon before it’s late and rally the Kamba community behind Raila to help him win on August 9.
The leaders said they believe it is in the Azimio la Umoja Movement that their quest for development and economic empowerment of their people will be realised.
“As professionals and business community together with all our leaders have therefore agreed as follows: That there is urgent need to radically shift from the politics of seeking for positions for individuals to a new politic of seeking development and shared prosperity for Kenya and our community,” they said in their declaration.
They called for an end to politics of “negative competition and grand standing” among leaders of the region, and urged Kalonzo to embrace teamwork and unity of purpose.
Kalonzo led the OKA team to campaign in Lugari in Western Kenya on Saturday where he ruled out a coalition with Kenya Kwanza Allaince.
Kieni MP recently said that it is a matter of time before Kalonzo joins Azimio.
