Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka is undoubtedly the Kingpin of the Akamba nation and is on the trending topics currently after deciding to vie in the presidential elections.
Kalonzo decided to follow his own path after ODM leader and Azimio la Umoja flag bearer Raila Odinga offered him a lesser position than what he was expecting, if Azimio forms government after the August 9 general elections.
Raila offered Kalonzo the chief cabinet secretary position and settled for Martha Karua as his running mate. For a man who has served as a vice president before, that looked like a demotion.
As Kalonzo eyes the statehouse most of the notable Kamba leaders such as Kitui governor Charity Ngilu, Machakos governor Alfred Mutua, Kivutha Kibwana(Makueni) as well as former Machakos senator Jonson Muthama are not backing him.
Muthama was a member of the Wiper party before but the two would clash from time to time even before the 2017 general elections.
At one time it was alleged that their beef was fueled by Athiani FM, a Kamba vernacular radio station. Apparently, Muthama was bitter with how Kalonzo acquired the station long after the former senator had processed its license and done the bulky work of founding it.
The two also clashed about Kalonzo’s position in NASA as Muthama was seen to be leaning towards Raila instead of fronting his party leader’s interests. He was even accused of being Raila’s mole in Wiper.
Muthama declined to vie for the Machakos senatorial seat in 2017 under Wiper citing irregularities and favoritism. He later ditched the party and founded UDA that is currently being led by DP William Ruto.
In February last year however, Muthama almost gave Kalonzo a thorough beating in public after he made a comment about his ex-wife Agnes Kavindu.
It was during the funeral service of AIC Bishop Bernard Nguyo where Kalonzo told Muthama that he would give him back Kavindu after she wins a by-election that was to take place in March the same year.
“Next year, you will see Muthama running to me because he knows where we are and where we are going. Even if he gets irritated, I’ll hand over his wife (Kavindu) and tell him she’s now Senator,” said Kalonzo, who spoke in the Kamba dialect.
Muthama was angered by the remarks that he shot up from his seat and charged towards Kalonzo. He was however restrained by leaders who were nearby.
Kavindu is the current senator of Machakos county. She took over the office after the death of Boniface Mutinda Kabaka.
Muthama and Kalonzo are however said to have sorted out their differences in July last while at a funeral in Mwingi, Kitui.
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