NASA presidential running mate Kalonzo Musyoka. [Photo/Standard Media]
After April 27 at the Uhuru Park declaration where the National Super Alliance (NASA) finally declared ODM's Raila Odinga and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka their presidential candidate and running mate respectively, many thought that all was well for the son of Tseikuru but as it appears now the fomer Vice President is facing perhaps the toughest challenge of his political career.
Despite having a formidable and predictable enemy in the form of Jubilee Party, kalonzo also faces a circle of friends-turned-rivals who threaten the existence of his Wiper Party in the Ukambani region a challenge that his partner Odinga is not going through from his Nyanza backyard.
First, President Uhuru Kenyatta threw the first salvo claiming Kalonzo has applied to be nominated in the Senate after August 8, polls if the NASA dream collapses with a Jubilee victory.
However, on Monday Kalonzo's lieutenants were up to speak for their boss on the allegations made by the President. Jared Siso Wiper's executive director was on hand to defend his boss.
“It’s based either on misinformation or they did it deliberately for political expediency. I want to think positive of him (President Kenyatta)," said Siso.
"He knows the reality, but he also knows that politics is about perception. He might look misadvised, which I think is not the case, but it could be a deliberate political manoeuvre to get the message out there that our party leader has been nominated,” added Mr Siso.
As if the attacks from Uhuru could not suffice, right from his backyard perceive Kalonzo's honchos Kitui West MP Francis Nyenze and Senator David Musila were heard singing praises for Uhuru and even endorsing his candidature for reelection.
Kalonzo with Kitui West MP Francis Nyenze.
“If somebody does well to you, you can’t forget. Can you forget those who have done well like Uhuru Kenyatta?” said Nyenze at Kauwi Primary School in Kitui County.
“Let’s not be swayed by politics of empty rhetoric by those alleging that President Uhuru hasn’t worked well. The truth is Uhuru has done a lot and we’ll elect those whose work can be seen,” he added.
Also on the team giving Kalonzo nightmares is Senator Johnstone Muthama his Kitui counterpart David Musila who despite alleging being misquote over his utterances of endorsing Uhuru's reelection bid sighted shambolic primaries as one of the reason the cordial relationship he had with his former ally has dwindled.
And according to Ukambani region political analyst Jane Kibati the bungled elections in the region will cost NASA and Wiper a huge chunk of votes in the August polls.
“The consequence of the bungled primaries and resignation of key party officials is that we are staring at the possibility of the Ukambani region moving from being a NASA stronghold to a battleground with the Jubilee party,” said Mrs Kibati.
It is also coming out now that even residents of the populated Machakos county are seeing signs of a new crop of leaders rising up to overtake Kalonzo in the region's political kingship.
“Mr Musyoka has lost control of the Kamba community. Definitely a new crop of leaders will replace him,” wrote political analyst Robert Nzivo on WhatsApp.
Mr Musyoka now faces the daunting task of restoring harmony in his political house if he is to make a strong contribution to NASA fortunes.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka with his former party vice chairman David Musila during good days with Nairobi Deputy governor Jonathan Mweke.