Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka is among the veteran and experienced Kamba politicians in the country.
The Wiper Party leader has served in the country’s top positions and is now eyeing to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta in the 2022 general election.
Kalonzo is said to have top and wide political connections, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is one of his closest political allies.
However, Kalonzo has over the years been branded a ‘watermelon’, a coward, a traitor due to some of his political decisions and actions.
Kalonzo has been quoted saying he is used to being called a 'watermelon'.
Here are 3 instances when Kalonzo’s actions were termed as a betrayal to his colleagues and mostly Raila Odinga.
1. 2005 referendum
In 2005, Kalonzo and Raila found themselves out of government after they were sacked by former President Mwai Kibaki for opposing the referendum.
The two leaders among others had campaigned against the 2005 referendum.
After their ouster from the Cabinet, Kalonzo, Raila and other leaders spearheaded the formation of Orange Democratic Movement of Kenya (ODM-Kenya).
However, the party split months after it was formed.
Kalonzo is said to have ran away with the original ODM-K while Raila remained with ODM.
Raila then accused the former Vice President of going against the deal they had made.
The two leaders walked separate ways but remained friends in the run up to the 2007 general election.
2. Disputed 2007 presidential election
In the run-up to the 2007 general election, Kalonzo and Raila were good friends and both in opposition after rebelling against retired President Mwai Kibaki.
Both Kalonzo and Raila contested in the December 27, 2007, general election that was later disputed leading to post-poll violence.
During the post-election violence, Kalonzo who had emerged third in the presidential race was appointed by President Kibaki as the Vice President.
Kibaki had been declared the winner of the presidential election.
Raila was angered by Kalonzo’s move to accept the appointment, claiming that they (with Kalonzo) had come to the conclusion that the presidential election had been stolen.
Raila in subsequent interviews accused Kalonzo of abandoning him at the hour of need.
The ODM leader was later appointed as Prime Minister in the coalition government that was formed to quell the post poll skirmishes.
3. People's President's swearing-in - 2018
On January 30, 2018, Kalonzo again disappointed Raila and NASA supporters when he failed to show up for Raila’s swearing in as the People’s President at Uhuru Park in Nairobi.
Kalonzo, ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi and their Ford Kenya counterpart Moses Wetangula did not show up claiming that they had been put under house arrest.
The Wiper leader was attacked, condemned and branded a traitor and a coward.
Kalonzo later defended himself, saying the swearing-in was not a wise move.
The Wiper leader has maintained that he is not a betrayer or a coward as he has been branded.
Kalonzo is seeking Raila’s support in 2022 even as claims continue to emerge that the ODM leader will be on the presidential ballot.
The former Vice President maintains that he will contest for the presidency in 2022 with or without Raila’s support.
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