NASA principals Musalia Mudavadi (left) Raila Odinga, Isaac Ruto (centre), Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetangula at a past event. [Photo: The Standard]
Wiper Democratic Movement of Kenya (WDM-K) party leader Kalonzo Musyoka holds the key to the success of the National Super Alliance (NASA) in the forthcoming polls.
According to Law Professor Makau Mutua, Kalonzo is NASA’s ‘strongest link’ but is likely to jeopardise the chances of the opposition alliance to upset President Uhuru Kenyatta in August.
“Kalonzo made NASA work, and he’s a key pillar. But there isn’t a shortage of ways in which Kalonzo and his Wiper brigade – loyalists and renegades – can put NASA asunder,” wrote Mutua in a column published by the Standard on Sunday.
Mutua said the former Vice President risks becoming NASA’s ‘weakest link’ if he doesn’t put his house in order by silencing the dissenting voices within his Wiper party.
“As the captain of the Wiper ship, Kalonzo must stamp his authority on the party while being democratic and open. That’s the only way he remains a commanding asset – and not a liability – to NASA,” he noted.
He said Kalonzo must make peace with his former ally cum rival Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama for the Opposition to remain formidable in Kenyan politics.
“Kalonzo needs to repair his relationship with Muthama. It’s not a secret Muthama is Raila’s confidant. This should be an asset to NASA, not a liability. That’s why Kalonzo and Muthama must genuinely bury their hatchet. They hate Jubilee more than they hate each other. Raila is key to their rapprochement,” Mutua advised.
The outspoken professor also said that even though Kalonzo is still the political supremo in Ukambani, Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua, has ‘tried to eat into Kalonzo’s real estate.’
He said Kalonzo must ensure that he dims Mutua’s star by ensuring Machakos Wiper gubernatorial candidate Wavinya Ndeti ousts the Maendeleo Chap Chap leader in August.
“He must politically crush him in the best democratic tradition by campaigning vigorously for Ndeti. Failure to put Mutua to pasture will spell doom for Kalonzo’s future political career on the national stage,” he wrote.
Mutua added: “Kalonzo needs to kill the mini-Jubilee insurrection in his backyard. On August 8, if NASA is to sweep Makueni, Kitui, and Machakos, Kalonzo must make sure not a single person running on Jubilee, or its proxies, is even elected MCA.”