Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka is going flat out to win over disgruntled supporters of President William Ruto in a political game plan that could unite him with impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
At the same time, Kalonzo’s Wiper Party has engineered ruthless disciplinary action against MPs who voted to kick out Gachagua as the former VP moves to endear himself to the Mount Kenya vote bloc.
Wiper’s disciplinary action will include expulsion of the MPs who went against the party’s position to save the embattled deputy.
At least five members of the outfit defied the party’s call to vote against the impeachment motion.
These include Farah Maalim (Dadaab), Patrick Makau (Mavoko), Danson Mwashako (Wundanyi), Charles Nguna (Mwingi West) and Robert Basil (Yatta).
However, party insiders said Makau would be spared from the purge because “he explained himself.”
Kalonzo, the senior most politician in the opposition now, is determined to secure the backing of Mount Kenya in what could be his second stab at the presidency.
He has the support of Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party and Eugene Wamalwa’s DAP-Kenya. With Gachagua set to be kicked out from UDA, a Kalonzo-Gachagua union could be in the offing.
In a telling signal, Kalonzo last week fired warnings at MPs who voted for Gachagua’s impeachment to join UDA before being punished.
“Every member of the party, you are either in the party or you have joined UDA. Don’t even wait to be disciplined; you can ditch the party and join UDA,” he said.
“We must respect the party, we took a position as a party and stated clearly that was not our war.”
Kalonzo has been of late courting Mt Kenya and was unequivocal that Wiper Party would not support the impeachment of Gachagua.
The Wiper boss stood with Gachagua and instructed his troops to shoot down the motion that was sponsored by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutusi.
Observers believe supporting Gachagua at his hour of need would work for the ex-VP, who is salivating at the vote-rich Central Kenya for his 2027 bid.
The vote of the five MPs to remove Gachagua is feared could threaten the goodwill Wiper was seeking to cultivate with Mt Kenya.
Party sources intimated to the Star that the cases will soon be referred to the Wiper Disciplinary Committee for appropriate action, including expulsion from the party.
“It is just a matter of time before they are dragged to the disciplinary committee. It is common sense that the members must listen to the party position before they make individual decisions,” a high-ranking official said.
Speaking to the Star on phone, Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo confirmed plans to take disciplinary action against the ‘rebels’.
The senator – a close confidant of Kalonzo – however noted that Makau will not be amongst those to face the disciplinary panel, having explained his decision to the party.
“The party will take disciplinary action against those who didn’t explain themselves. Makau did explain himself.”
Maanzo is one of the two Wiper deputy secretaries general.
“They will be sent home. The people are very angry with them, it is very important that you listen to the electorates,” he said.
Machako Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi – another Kalonzo confidant – concurred, insisting the party’s position must be observed.
While calling on Wiper supporters to take note of the ‘betrayers’, he demanded action against individuals who defied the party leader.
According to the deputy governor, the action of the five amounted to betrayal of not only of the party but also of the supporters who trusted them to uphold Wiper Party values.
“Kalonzo was firm, he asked lawmakers to vote ‘no’ to the motion, yet on the eve of the vote some were seen on the sidelines receiving ‘something’ and ultimately voting ‘yes’,” Mwangangi said.
“I know how these things work. I was in Parliament. I have seen some of these things.”
He called on the electorate to vote out all the lawmakers who defi ed the party’s position, saying they don’t deserve the seats.
“These leaders put their interests above the people’s. Let us not give them a chance,” Mwangangi said.
Kalonzo has been making inroads in Mt Kenya, winning over significant support President William Ruto has lost since the fallout with his deputy became public.
Apart from the numerous trips he has made to the region, the Wiper boss was the only high-ranking politician who visited Gachagua at Karen Hospital to show support for the beleaguered DP.
Kalonzo is also making crucial strides in uniting the Kikuyu and Kamba communities, a key block he is keen to woo to catapult his 2027 presidential bid.
The latest of such overtures was on Sunday when he attended a birthday party for retired President Uhuru Kenyatta at Ndumberi stadium, Kiambu county.
The Wiper boss has also disclosed in the past of plans to work with the region’s leaders including Gachagua and Uhuru.
“We are building a strong team and we are inviting all
leaders who want to change Kenya in real-time and in the right direction.
Without fear of intimidation, I have just talked to Uhuru on the phone before
coming to this place. Uhuru had forewarned you and we want such straightforward
leaders,” Kalonzo said during a church function in Othaya, Nyeri county, in
July