A key gathering of Wiper boss Kalonzo Musyoka on Thursday became the centre of national attention after leaders vigorously pushed for his unity with ODM boss Raila Odinga.
Raila himself hinted at an imminent unity pact, expressing confidence that "our paths with Kalonzo will cross again in the near future."
"What Kalonzo is advocating for what Raila Odinga is also advocating for. I am certain that our paths will cross again in the near future," Raila told an ecstatic crowd at Kasarani gymnasium.
Speaking during the Wiper National Delegates Conference where the Kalonzo was endorsed as the party's 2022 presidential flag bearer, Raila said that with their unity, the future looks bright.
The former prime minister referred to the two last presidential elections in which Kalonzo deputised him without winning State House, saying he hopes they will succeed this time around.
“Kalonzo and I went hunting but in the first round, the hyena ran away with the hunt. We went into the forest again but a lion took away what we hunted...We shall continue agaim.
For the first time, Raila said in the 2013 and 2017 polls when Cord and Nasa were vanquished by President Uhuru Kenyatta's machine, the opposition returned empty handed 'because wild animals ran away with the prize'.
“We have been with Kalonzo in politics for many years, we started with Kanu and then Narc. We then campaigned against the referendum, which we won, before teaming up in ODM. Wiper and ODM are brothers. Our foundation was in ODM,” Raila said.
He went on, “We went to hunt together but in the first round, the hyena ran away with the hunt.We remained patient and went into the forest again but a lion came and took away what we hunted. We did not get what we wanted to share. We shall continue again.”
The former prime minister, who kept referring to Kalonzo as a dependable ally, said after the two failed “when we got nothing to share”, they can still come together for the sake of the country.
They repeatedly exchanged pleasantries while there was palpable tension among other Oka chiefs who appeared gloomy.
Just a day before, a section of Musalia's allies had protested the invitation to Raila, saying Kalonzo and Kanu boss Gideon Moi were sending mixed signals on their commitment to the One Kenya Alliance.
Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala said Oka should be disbanded instead of having it as a "branch" of Raila's team.
From their body language to their rhetoric, the former allies-turned-foes hinted at a possible grand merger in the coming days, signalling a radical shift in the political terrain.
The ODM boss provided a chronology of his relationship with Kalonzo since former President Daniel Moi's era and referred to the former vice president as a younger brother whom he cannot run away from.
“I have heard some people complaining why has Raila been invited? Raila and Kalonzo are brothers. If your younger brother has a wedding, do you vanish? No, you can't say you are not attending. That is why I am here today,” the former prime minister said.
He said when Kalonzo invited him for the NDC, he was forced to reschedule his events to honour an invite from "a younger brother”.
“I was supposed to be in Makueni today, but decided to go there yesterday (Wednesday) so that I would attend today's Wiper meeting,” he said.
The event of more than 6,000 delegates was attended by principals in the One Kenya Alliance including Musalia Mudavadi (ANC), Moses Wetang'ula (Ford Kenya), Gideon Moi (Kanu) and UDF's Cyrus Jirongo.
Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu was also present. She has insisted Kalonzo and Oka need to work for a bigger alliance with Raila ahead of 2022.
She implored on the opposition leaders to unite for the sake of the country.
“I have worked and travelled a long distance with Kalonzo. I have worked with him, I have worked with all the Oka leadership seated here. I have worked with Raila as well. My plea is that we shall expect you to continue talking for the sake of this country,” she said.
You are a diplomat and won't fail to bring the rest of the five leaders together. There is hope that if you can bring all these great leaders here today, there is nothing too difficult.
The governor said since the leaders are talking about the same issues affecting the country, there is a need to work together.
“We agree on the issues we are talking about, we need to be together and include one another,” she said.
Ngilu and governors Alfred Mutua (Machakos) and Makueni's Kivutha Kibwana have previously favoured a Raila presidency and have been urging Kalonzo to team up with him.
Signalling the significance of Kalonzo's place in President Uhuru Kenyatta's succession matrix, the head of state dispatched Jubilee secretary general Raphael Tuju to represent him.
In his speech, Tuju termed Kalonzo a reliable and accomplished diplomat who, he said, has the necessary skills to ensure a deal is reached between Oka and Raila.
“You are a diplomat and I don't think you will fail to bring the rest of the five leaders together. There is hope that if you can bring all these great leaders here today, there is nothing difficult, you can unite these five leaders,” Tuju said.
He went on, “If all of them decide it is Kalonzo, we shall all finish the business very early and go home to rest.”
In a meeting laden symbolism, Raila and Kalonzo held private talks at the VIP lounge before the speeches, leaving other uneasy Oka chiefs behind.
They left about 40 minutes after taking their seats at the dais and talked for about 30 minutes before making their way back.
It was not known what they discussed but Raila later returned alone as Kalonzo used a separate entrance to be introduced as the Wiper presidential candidate.
In a scathing attack on Musalia's troops, Raila rebuked remarks on Wednesday by the ANC boss's ally Cleopas Malala who attacked Kalonzo for inviting Raila.
“There are some people making noise that I should not be here. Kalonzo is my brother and there is no way I would missed his big day,” Raila said.
Jirongo said Kalonzo is a dependable leader with unquestionable integrity and a track record of achievement, saying the country would be safe in his hands if he is elected president.
“We can trust Kalonzo. The country wants someone who can protect their investments. The politics of today need a leader who will honour pledges. As a group of the One Alliance Kenya, we know that if it would be Kalonzo, he will keep his promises," he said.
He went on, “He will listen to advice. Unlike others who think they know it all. He is a humble leader who will listen to others. He respects the rule of law.”
Musalia called for free elections, saying the will of the people must be respected in next year's general election through a free and fair process.
“We want democracy, we want the IEBC to be given the space and support needed so the 2022 elections shall not shame the country and take us backward. We want democracy from the election of MCAs to the presidency,” he said.
Earlier, Kanu secretary general Nick Salat said the next president will come from either Raila or the Oka principals. He termed the meeting a "get together of BBI proponents".
"Let me tell you Kenyans that the next president is seated here. We are not uniting against one individual but for the prosperity of the country," he said, urging the leaders to unite.
“There comes a time when the country must come first; it is possible to get one among you to fly the flag as one among equals.”
Kalonzo said he will fight corruption, revive fortunes in the agriculture sector, reduce taxes and turn the university loans scheme into a grant.
He said under his leadership the responsibility of paying school fees will be shifted from parents to the government as there will be free secondary education.
"This is defining moment for the country," Kalonzo said as he accepted the nomination as Wiper's presidential candidate.
(Edited by V. Graham)