The possibility of Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka contesting alone in the 2022 presidential election is high if claims of cracks in NASA is anything to go by.
The former Vice President is said to be at cross-roads with his close allies urging him to quit NASA.
Kalonzo, who skipped Raila Odinga’s inauguration as the People’s President on January 30 has a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) With ODM leader Raila that is to see him fly the NASA ticket in 2022.
Political analysts, however, argue that Raila is likely to trash the MoU after losing in last year’s presidential election.
Political pundits further observe that Raila is likely to contest in the 2022 presidential election on his ODM party.
Other political analysts argue that Kalonzo could also dump NASA and vie for the top seat on his own.
Should Kalonzo decide to go it alone in 2022, here are the people he is likely to choose as presidential running mates.
Farah Maalim- The former National Assembly deputy speaker is considered as Kalonzo's ally and close confidant.
Maalim is also considered as Kalonzo’s legal advisor and has been vocal in opposing Raila’s January 30 inauguration as the People’s President.
The former Lagdera MP has openly asked Kalonzo not to agree on being sworn in as the People’s Deputy President.
Maalim who unsuccessfully contested for the Garissa Township parliamentary seat in last year’s general election is also rallying Kalonzo to ditch NASA on grounds that Raila will not honor the MoU they signed in 2017.
He is Kalonzo’s deputy in Wiper party.
Ali Mbogo- The Kisauni MP is also Kalonzo’s ally. Mbogo is the Wiper point man in Mombasa after the resignation of former Wiper secretary general Hassan Omar.
Mbogo’s influence in Mombasa and the larger coastal region has been rising steadily and is among politicians likely to succeed Governor Hassan Joho when his term comes to an end in 2022.
Shakila Abdalla- She is the Wiper party deputy leader. Shakila is also Kalonzo’s ardent supporter and has often stoop with the former Vice President.
She lost re-election as Lamu Woman Representative in last year’s general election.
Ben Momanyi- He is the Borabu MP and also considered as Kalonzo’s close confidant. Momanyi has several times defended Kalonzo sometimes accusing Raila Odinga’s ODM party of bullying affiliate NASA parties.
Wiper party delegates will convene in Nairobi on March 16 to discuss Kalonzo’s 2022 bid and also weigh on the party’s future in the NASA coalition.
This comes as claims of cracks continue to rock the Raila Odinga led coalition.
On Wednesday, a letter purportedly written by Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and directed to Kalonzo asking him to explain his commitment to NASA surfaced online.
Joho in the letter questioned Kalonzo’s commitment to the coalition owing to the statements that his deputy Farah Maalim has allegedly been making.
The Orange Democratic Movement has, however , dismissed the letter terming it fake and meant to create rifts in the NASA coalition.
To be the first to get updates on breaking and trending news in Kenya, send your WhatsApp number to 0792066259.