Wiper Party Decry Being ‘Mistreated’ But Say Still Willing To Work With Azimio La Umoja

MACHAKOS, Kenya, May, 23 – A section of wiper party leaders during a meeting has now underscored the need for further discussions before any decisions are made as to whether its party leader Kalonzo Musyoka would rejoin the political alliance.

Speaking at a hotel in Machakos County after a meeting with over 500 aspirants, Wiper-Kenya party organizing secretary Robert Mbui said that it was still possible for their party leader to return to Azimio however it was absolutely necessary that dissuasions on the way forwards are held in a respectable manner.

“We want to be part of the new Kenya going forward but we need structured discussions as what is being offered is only in the media. We want Azimio to know that the issue is about Wiper as a party, and not Kalonzo as people have made it to be,” said Mbui.

The party had initially expressed frustrations over the process to select Raila Odinga’s running mate terming it as ‘opaque’. The vetting and selection committee tasked with identifying the best candidate ultimately settled on Narc-Kenya Party leader Martha Karua with the wiper leader being fronted as chief minister.

His role in an Azimio La Umoja government in that capacity was however not clearly stated forcing Kalonzo to declare that he would go it alone for the presidency after he failed to secure the running mate slot.

“Even if they are few or many, there are people who rely on him. He should decide whether to be in Azimio and unite all leaders there and if he has other plans, he should do that so that leaders can make the right decision. This delay makes the public lack direction and causes unnecessary anxiety,” said Dr Kalua.

The party is meanwhile working tirelessly to resolve the stalemate with the alliance saying that they are willing to reconsider working with the political formation.

“There is a dispute resolution mechanism under that alliance and we are asking our party leader to consider the possibility of having further discussions on this coalition arraignment. Why we were disappointed is because there were no structured discussions, no discussions about how political party positions will be shared, the only position we as a party spoke about was that of deputy president. When a position was mentioned to us through the media, we had been offered the position of cabinet secretary called chief, we did not understand what that means,”

“None of these things that were peddled in the media were ever presented to the party…as a party we are asking if there were any offers, why don’t you present them to the dispute resolution mechanisms, why do you not present them to us so that we can be able to make an informed decision. We hope the principals under the Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya can sit together and be able to put to paper all those things that they wish this party can be able to know so that we can be able to advise our party leader accordingly and make the next course of action,”

Mbui meanwhile rubbished claims of rebellion within the party, especially in the lower Easter region saying that it has never been stronger despite recent challenges.

“There is not a single member or candidate of Wiper democratic movement that is against the decisions that have been taken because it is not the decision of the party leader but that of the party, No single decision has ever been taken by the party leader in isolation,”

Ukambani leaders led by Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu and Makueni’s Kivutha Kibwana while in Machakos last week pleaded with Kalonzo to join Azimio and accept the offer given to him by Odinga if he forms the next government.