Photo caption: Machakos senator Johnson Muthama with Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka at a past event. Speculations are alleging that senator Muthama is being isolated and abandoned by Wiper party officials and members who feel he is not loyal to the party.(Photo/http://www.the-star.co.ke)
Speculations are now emerging that Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama is allegedly being isolated in the Kalonzo Musyoka led Wiper Party.
Muthama, a fierce defender and longtime friend of Kalonzo is said to be having a hard time in Wiper.
Notably the Machakos senator has been missing in Wiper party events and press briefings in the recent days, fueling speculations that he could be under siege in the Kalonzo’s party.
The Machakos senator was allegedly not present when Kalonzo was presenting his presidential nomination papers to Wiper Party National Elections Board at Party headquarters in Nairobi on Thursday.
Sources within Wiper party claim that Muthama no longer enjoy the trust of most party officials and members.
A section of Wiper leaders and members have been accusing Muthama of being disloyal to Kalonzo.
The Machakos senator has been accused several times of allegedly undermining Kalonzo’s presidential bid in the National Super Alliance (NASA) and allegedly advocating for other NASA candidates presidential bids.
The Machakos senator’s relation with most of the Wiper leaders and members is worsening according to sources.
Early this month, a section of Wiper members under the Wiper Express accused Muthama of being disloyal.
The Wiper politicians led by Kathiani MP Robert Mbui, Mavoko’s Patrick Makau, Woman Representative Dr Susan Musyoka and EALA MP Peter Mathuki claimed that Muthama’s interests are not in Wiper.
The politicians accused Muthama of favoring ODM leader Raila Odinga for the NASA presidential flag bearer instead of advocating for Kalonzo’s bid.
In November last year, speculations emerged that Muthama had fallen out with Kalonzo after the Wiper leader allegedly lectured him during a rally in Makueni accusing him of forcing small UKambani political parties to merge with Wiper.
The Wiper leader had also accused Muthama of allegedly working with Siaya senator James orengo to undermine his presidential bid in NASA.
Muthama however refuted the claims saying that all NASA top leaders had equal chances of being endorsed.
In February this year, the Machakos senator also came under sharp criticism during the burial of Kwale senator Boy Juma Boy after he claimed that the late senator had asked him to make sure that ODM leader Raila Odinga is NASA’s presidential flag bearer in the August polls.
“Senator Boy Juma Boy dying wish to me was that I make sure Raila Odinga is NASA’s presidential flag bearer,” Muthama said during the late senator’s burial.
Muthama’s claim at Boy Juma Boy’s burial angered Wiper leaders and members who accused him of favoring Raila Odinga.
Senator Muthama has also been on the spot after Wiper rebels who defected to Jubilee Party last year claimed that they defected because of Muthama’s undemocratic style of politics in the Kalonzo party.
The rebels asked Kalonzo to stay off Muthama claiming that he is not loyal to him.
Muthama’s perceived discomfort in Wiper came to the fore on Monday when he asked Makueni governor Kivutha Kibwana to go slow on Wiper Party affairs.
Muthama who was addressing locals at Mulu Mutisya grounds in Machakos Town accused Kivutha of allegedly undermining some wiper officials.
“Governor Kibwana should go slow and respect the leaders he found in Wiper,” Muthama said.
Kibwana dissolved his Muungano party and joined wiper and is now in the NASA committee working on mechanisms on how to pick and endorse the Alliance presidential flag bearer.
Muthama’s political future and his re-election as senator hangs in the balance as People’s Trust Party leader Mutua Katuku is said to be eyeing the Machakos senatorial seat in the August 8 polls.
According to sources, Katuku now enjoys Kalonzo’s support and could be endorsed for the Machakos senatorial seat.
Political analysts say that Muthama’s future in Wiper hangs in the balance.
“Muthama’s future in Wiper cannot be foretold and the senator might decide to go elsewhere,” said Peter Ngure, a Kiambu based political analyst.
Ngure however said that Kalonzo will suffer politically if Muthama was to abandon him.
Mr Ngure observed that Muthama's next shop would be ODM in case he was to quit Wiper Party.