The political relationship between Wiper leader Kalonzo musyoka and former Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama has thawed with the latter hinting at the duo working together in the near future.
Mutahma on Monday confirmed that he recently met Kalonzo although he declined to disclose what they discussed.
Muthama is associated with the ruling United Democratic Alliance and serves as a member of the Parliamentary Service Commission. He said only Kalonzo and himself know what they discussed.
Speaking during the funeral service of environmentalist John Kioli Kalua at Ithookwe Stadium in Kitui town, Muthama said those closely following the meeting may soon have answers.
“Those tongue-wagging should be told that whatever they fear is not too far away. It will hit home shortly. I have nothing more to add,” he said.
He said he and Kalonzo had simply shared a cup of tea as brothers and held what he described as a fruitful conversation on local, regional and national issues.
Muthama, however, maintained that the substance of their discussions would remain private.
He offered a cryptic reflection on political
loyalty, saying only a fool remains rigid in politics while a wise person
could change course after assessing the prevailing political season and calculating
his next move.
The remarks have added to questions surrounding Muthama’s political direction as the 2027 contest draws near.
Muthama and Kalonzo have a long political association, although their paths have diverged in recent years, with Muthama becoming associated with President William Ruto’s political camp while Kalonzo has positioned himself within the opposition.
Muthama’s October 1 meeting with Kalonzo in Nairobi had already triggered speculation about possible political shifts. Muthama subsequently described the encounter as consultation with his “brother and longtime political friend” over national issues and matters affecting Kenyans. He did not announce any political agreement arising from the discussions.
Wiper chairman Jamleck Kamau has since provided another dimension to the meeting, saying he was the one who initiated talks with Muthama as part of efforts to bring the former senator back into the opposition fold.
Jamleck said Muthama remained in government but that Wiper was engaging him in an effort to persuade him to return to the party’s side.
That account complicates speculation that the meeting
was simply a personal encounter between two longtime political associates. It
also places Muthama at the intersection of competing efforts to consolidate
political support in Ukambani ahead of 2027.
Kalonzo has declared his intention to seek the
presidency in the 2027 general election, while Wiper has been pursuing efforts
to consolidate opposition support around his political ambitions.
The significance of Muthama in that equation lies partly
in his long political association with Kalonzo and his influence within
Ukambani politics. Any change in his political alignment would therefore
attract attention, although neither Muthama nor Kalonzo has announced a new
political arrangement following their meeting.
Muthama appealed to residents of Ukambani to pray for their political leaders, including himself, and expressed hope that things would go right for them.
The political uncertainty surrounding the meeting overshadowed, to some extent, the broader message delivered at the funeral, where speakers urged leaders and citizens to embrace peaceful politics.
Renowned environmentalist Isaac Kalua Green, an elder brother of the late John Kioli, called on Kenyans to embrace peace, saying it was founded on compassion and mercy.
“What John is saying even in his absence is that let us be a country, let us be a family, let us be a nation and let us be a continent of mercy,” Kalua said.
He said the absence of mercy was undermining peace and
urged political leaders, aspiring politicians and parents to embrace compassion
in their dealings with others.
Kitui county assembly speaker Kevin Katisya called on Kenyans to practise peaceful politics, saying leaders had a responsibility to ensure political competition was conducted peacefully and in the best interests of citizens.
