Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka is arguably among the respected vocal leaders in Ukambani.
Kalonzo came to the limelight during retired President Mwai Kibaki’s government and many believed that he would succeed Kibaki after finishing his time in office.
On May 9 2012, in a function that was held in Machakos County, the former president said Kalonzo was the right man to take over from him after he finishes his term in office.
He described the Wiper Party leader as a man who had the ability and knowledge that was not only seen by him but by also entire Africa.
In a past video shared on YouTube, Kibaki urged people to stand with Kalonzo and show him that they are ready for his leadership.
“And you if you have someone who has the ability, have the ability and Africa has seen that he has the ability. Even you have to show him that you’re ready but if you are hearing about it and you're not talking about it or even don’t mention it, it will be a zero work. We want you people to get involved in these things. (Na nyinyi kama mna mtu ambaye ana uwezo, ana uwezo na waafrika wameshamuona ana uwezo. Basi hata nyinyi ndiyo mmuoneshe basi hata sisi tuko tayari, lakini ikiwa mnasikia tu lakini hamsemi chochote wala kwenu hata hamtaji, itakua kazi bure. Lakini tunataka wenyewe muhusike na mambo hayo,msiwache tu kwa sababu mtakua hko na mtakua sawasawa)” he said.
Kalonzo, however, did not succeed in taking over from Kibaki who handed power to the now President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2013.
Until now, the Wiper party leader has been out of the government for a while.
He was among the leaders who joined Raila Odinga, the ODM party leader that was defeated by Uhuru twice, in 2013 and 2017.
The defeat left Kalonzo with no option but to wait until 2022 where he is expected to try his luck.