On May 8, 2017, former Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama left ex-Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, ODM leader Raila Odinga, and the entire Ukambani region in deep shock when he declared that he was not going to campaign for Wiper.
The shock came about the fact that NASA was banking on Wiper votes from the region to win the presidential seat contested by the coalition's flagbearer Raila Odinga.
Muthama, however, opted not to defend his seat claiming that the party was being micromanaged.
He said his heart was not in Wiper party but somewhere else.
Muthama said he was not happy to see a party he had founded and nurtured alongside others go down in the drain.
“I do not feel that I have the face anymore, to campaign or face our supporters in Wiper all over because the party has betrayed the people’s trust. It is no longer a democratic party,” Muthama said.
Muthama spoke at his Village Market office in Nairobi.
He added: “To put it plainly, as I always prefer to do, I cannot go out and campaign for Wiper anywhere in this country.”
The former senator maintained his stand forcing ex-Prime Minister Raila Odinga to intervene.
Kalonzo and Raila held a series of meetings before Muthama changed his mind.
Muthama remains among the most influential politicians in the country.
His word cannot be ignored in the political arena.
Muthama is still powerful despite the fact that he never defended his senatorial seat in 2017 polls.
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