Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has broken ranks with former Kajiado Governor David Nkedienye and will now back the re-election of the sitting Governor, Joseph Ole Lenku.
Over the weekend, the former Vice President rallied the 70,000 registered voters from the Kamba Community in Kajiado County to vote back Mr Lenku.
“Hold Governor Lenku the way you will hold me. I have come to realize he is a trustworthy leader who has done a lot for Kajiado people and who embraces unity and inclusivity of other communities in his Government,” said Kalonzo.
He extended an olive branch to Dr Nkedienye saying he would help him to be appointed a Cabinet Secretary in th Next Government.
“Dr Nkedienye is not a bad man. I will talk to him to step down and support Governor Lenku. Kajiado needs continuity now,” said Kalonzo.
In both 2013 and 2017 elections, the Kamba community which largely inhabits Kajiado East constituency, voted overwhelmingly for Dr Nkedienye under the Cord and NASA coalitions and Kalonzo’s latest about-turn could irreparably hurt Dr Nkedienye’s prospects of recapturing the seat.
Kalonzo also dismissed the gubernatorial bid by Kajiado South MP Katoo Ole Metito saying he was no match to Lenku in the political duel.
Mr Metito has declared interest to unseat Lenku and is allied to the Tanga Tanga wing.
Mr Kalonzo’s open support for Lenku is also a big blow to Kajiado East MP Peris Tobiko who has been a beneficiary of the Kamba votes in her parliamentary contests.
She had also hoped to ride on the Kamba votes in her gubernatorial bid next year.
Kalonzo drummed support for Mr Lenku in Kajiado town during the thanksgiving ceremony of Rose Mumbe Munyambu from Kitengela who was appointed a Chief Officer in the Kajiado County Government.
Kalonzo was accompanied by Kitui Senator Enock Wambua and his Machakos counterpart Agnes Kavindu, Chief Administrative Secretaries Wavinya Ndeti and Jackson Kalla, Makueni MP Daniel Maanzo and several MCAs including those elected on Wiper tickets Joshua Oluwuasa ( Kaputiei North), Amos Peshut( Imaroro) and ODM’s Paul Matuyia ( Kitengela).