NASA presidential running mate Kalonzo Musyoka. [Photo/ Capital FM]
Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has nominated his sister-in-law to be a Wiper senator after the August 8 elections. Musyoka, Raila Odinga’s presidential running mate under the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition, has handpicked Ms Jane Muasya, his wife Pauline’s sister, to be sponsored by his party to the senate. Although Mr Musyoka is taking the heat for promoting nepotism in his party, this is not the first time he has been put on the spot for nominating a family member to a high political office. It is only weeks ago since he nominated his eldest son, Kennedy Kalonzo, to be an MP in the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA). Even his own party members have criticized him for using his power and influence to promote his close relatives. After the 2013 general election, Kalonzo was accused of high-handedness when he forcefully nominated Ms Muasya to be a member of the Nairobi County assembly, overlooking Jane Kotut, who was the first nominee in the IEBC list. As a nominated MCA, the sister-in-law has stayed largely invisible in the county assembly, leading many to question if she deserves any promotion. Sources say Ms Muasya was behind the recent decision by some Wiper members to back the Kalonzo’s son to represent the country at EALA. The Wiper leader is now under pressure to explain why voters should not expect him to continue giving his relatives priority even when he is in government.