Wiper boss Kalonzo Musyoka and DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua have pulled a fast one on their opposition colleagues as they move to strike a political deal.
The Star has established the two camps are set for a joint retreat early next month to firm up their deal ahead of the high-stakes general election.
“The retreat will be for DCP and Wiper, which form the larger Mt Kenya West, Mt Kenya East and Mt Kenya South,” Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua told the Star.
Wambua, a close ally of Kalonzo, disclosed that the discussion during the retreat will not be ‘academic’ but purely “political”.
“We have less than a year to the general election. We don’t have any time. We must have our lineup,” Wambua said.
Gatanga MP Edward Muriu, a close ally of Gachagua, said the planned meeting will culminate in the formulation of a working framework between DCP and Wiper.
“We have a meeting happening between the two parties shortly to craft what we call a joint working framework so, at least we can be able to synergise on our part and synergise on their part,” he said.
“You will now start seeing Wiper and DCP hold joint rallies, joint functions, as we build what we call a common agreement between the parties,” Muriu said.
Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo was blunt on the deal, stating that Kalonzo and his Wiper brigade stood with Gachagua during his hour of need - impeachment - thus their ‘strong bond.”
“It is us, Wiper and Kalonzo, who stood with Gachagua. All these other people, including Edwin Sifuna, impeached him,” Maanzo said.
Maanzo, however, said the planned meeting of DCP and Wiper will be succeeded by a bigger one that would bring all the opposition figures.
“That is how Raila Odinga used to work. He used to have a meeting before a meeting, and that is what we are doing. Kambas and mountain people are a family. We are related,” he said.
In a statement on Thursday, new Wiper spokesperson Ndegwa Njiru denied the existence of a deal.
He, however, did not deny that a pact was in the offing.
The planned deal is likely to complicate arithmetic for the other opposition figures keen to fly the joint presidential flag next year.
The development implies other opposition figures could only be forced to settle for a presidential running mate or smaller positions.
Already, insiders are indicating that Gachagua has endorsed Kalonzo for the presidency, and that the retreat would only focus on how to share other government portfolios.
During the meeting held on Tuesday, Gachagua expressed gratitude to Kalonzo and his troops for covering his ‘nakedness’ when he was impeached.
“As a community, we are very happy. When Ruto stripped me and our community, you came with a blanket and covered our nakedness. Our people and community are entirely grateful,” he said.
The DCP-Wiper deal could disadvantage Sifuna and Fred Matiang'i who are also gunning for the presidency.
The revelations of the planned deal between Kalonzo and Gachagua have already sparked disquiet in the united opposition, with some leaders rejecting it as selfish.
“A small group sitting to conspire against the other only helps to kill the goodwill people have given to that group,” Jubilee deputy party leader Jeremiah Kioni said.
He singled out Jubilee presidential aspirant Matiang’i, whom he said had emerged as the most popular candidate within the opposition and in Mt Kenya.
“The most popular candidate in the united opposition and within the Mt Kenya region is Matiang'i. There has been every effort made by those within the united opposition, especially DCP, Wiper and even DAP-Kenya to undermine him,” Kioni said.
The backlash came a day after Gachagua hosted Kalonzo and his team and proposed an initial partnership between DCP and Wiper.
“I want to ask for a partnership between the two parties as we also engage the others. The more the merrier,” Gachagua said.
“What I am asking is for DCP and Wiper to first unite. Isn’t it, then we talk to the others?” he said.
Kioni maintained that any agreement must reflect the wishes of Kenyans rather than the interests of individual politicians or parties.
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka sought to downplay the effects of the planned deal, stating that the negotiations are part of building a strong force against Ruto
“Whichever form the negotiations would take, the bottom line is sending Ruto home. If Kalonzo and Gachagua are working with a central and eastern alliance, we will come with western alliance and meet at the table,” Onyonka said.
Brian Weke, a member of the Sifuna-led Linda Mwananchi, downplayed the Kalonzo-Gachagua plan.
“This is part of the political jostling for space. Everybody is fighting. For us, we have James Orengo and Sifuna. We will decide who we send to the table,” he said.
Weke said opposition principals would negotiate as equal partners, pre-deals among some principals notwithstanding
“What we can assure Kenyans is that we shall front one candidate against Ruto. That candidate will be picked based on popularity and proper arithmetic,” he said.
Former Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana warned that formations outside the united opposition could end up undermining opposition unity.
“The proposed initial DCP-Wiper coalition of New GEMAA outside the United Alternative Government Opposition and the duo Linda Mwananchi-Tribeless Gen Z could complicate opposition unity. It is also time to unveil. The new Kenyan vision,” Kibwana said.
