The alleged emerging cracks in Wiper Democratic Movement (WDM) party could be a big blow for party leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s hopes of being endorsed by Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) as the coalition 2017 flag bearer, a political analyst has said.
According to Peter Ngure, a political analyst based in Kiambu, Musyoka’s bid for 2017 will be dented if he does not repair cracks that are emerging in his party.
The analyst says that Musyoka stands to lose if he falls out with Machakos senator Johnson Muthama.
Mr Ngure notes that Muthama is a close ally and confidant of Musyoka and that he (Musyoka) might find it difficult to operate in the current political environment if he falls out with him.
The analyst further notes that Muthama controls a huge base of supporters that Kalonzo stands to lose if he falls out with the Machakos senator.
“The cracks that are emerging in Wiper is a threat to Kalonzo’s 2017 presidential bid if he does not address and repair them immediately,” said Mr Ngure on Sunday.
Mr Ngure observes that Cord co-principals Raila Odinga and Moses Wetangula might loosen their support and relations with Kalonzo if he dumps Muthama. The analyst says that Muthama is a dallying of cord leader Raila Odinga and his fallout with Musyoka will be a big blow to the former Vice President.
He further warned that cracks in Wiper could affect the whole Cord fraternity as the coalition seeks to name its 2017 flag bearer. The analyst adds that the cracks in Wiper will re-ignite calls for Kalonzo to join President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party.
On Saturday it emerged that there could be cracks in Wiper after Kalonzo publicly told off senator Muthama during a rally in Taita Taveta.
Musyoka accused Muthama of allegedly sabotaging his 2017 presidential bid. The Wiper leader claimed that Muthama is colluding with Siaya senator James Orengo to deny him chance to be Cord 2017 flag bearer.
The public statement by Wiper leader saw Muthama abandon the rally.
Kilome MP Regina Ndambuki who recently ditched Kalonzo's party in favour of Jubilee party accused Muthama of allegedly being a betrayer.
The MP in an interview on a local TV station on Sunday said that Muthama's interests are not in Wiper and asked Kalonzo to distance himself from the Machakos senator if he wants to survive in the political circles.
Sources say that Muthama has been angered by Kalonzo’s remarks and will make an official statement on the matter soon.