The apparent rekindling of political friendship between Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and former Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama has sparked fresh intrigue in Ukambani politics.
The two political heavyweights, whose relationship has blown hot and cold, have lately made apparent reconciliation moves that have set tongues wagging. Muthama is a commissioner of the Parliamentary Service Commission.
Over the years, Muthama has accused Kalonzo of dictatorship in primaries and tribalism, while Kalonzo has accused Muthama of selling out and auctioning the Kamba community. In 2021, they clashed verbally and physically at a funeral.
Their surprising and relatively sudden amity has been renewed as President William Ruto prepares for a major four-day political offensive and development tour in Kalonzo's Ukambani stronghold.
Starting on Saturday, the President will visit Machakos, Makueni and Kitui counties. He will launch and inspect major infrastructure projects, including roads, affordable housing, electricity connections and water projects.
Ruto will also issue title deeds to residents in several constituencies.
The tour is widely viewed as an effort to penetrate Kalonzo's political backyard. Ukambani has remained a critical voting bloc in presidential elections, with Kalonzo controlling the vote basket for decades.
In the last three general elections, the Wiper leader, who twice ran as Raila’s presidential running mate, overwhelmingly delivered the region’s votes to Raila.
Kalonzo has remained a key opposition figure, angling to be the joint candidate hoping to defeat President Ruto in the 2027 general election.
Ahead of the tour, Muthama, a key figure in Ruto's political establishment, penned a article in the Star, publicly praising Kalonzo as a leader with massive political influence and nationwide appeal and a potential asset to any government.
Muthama warned both the government and opposition against underestimating the former vice-president's political influence and strength.
"In this contest, neither side should make the mistake of dismissing Kalonzo as merely a regional kingpin or assuming that his political support can be taken for granted," Muthama said.
The remarks have raised eyebrows, coming barely days after the two leaders held a closed-door meeting. The details have not been disclosed.
The meeting has triggered speculation about possible political realignments ahead of the polls.
Some observers say Muthama could be acting as a bridge between Kalonzo and Ruto.
Others say the former Machakos senator could be exploring his own political options amid claims of frustrations within government.
"Only my brother Kalonzo and I know the details of our meeting. No one else can claim to know what transpired," Muthama said.
Kalonzo’s allies, however, have denied any possibility of the former VP decamping from the opposition for Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration.
"There is no possibility of Kalonzo joining Ruto. Kalonzo wants to remove Ruto from power, and therefore there is no way he can join him," Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo said.
The latest development has revived memories of the two leaders' complicated political history.
For years, Muthama was among Kalonzo's most trusted political allies. He was a key strategist in Kalonzo's political camp and a powerful voice in Ukambani politics.
But their friendship has suffered several bitter falling outs, often over political strategy and alliances.
At the heart of their differences has been Kalonzo's political relationship with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Muthama previously played an influential role in efforts to persuade Kalonzo to join forces with Raila. Kalonzo was Raila’s running mate twice.
Muthama was among the leaders who pushed for opposition unity ahead of the 2013 election. The negotiations culminated in the formation of the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy, bringing together Raila's ODM and Kalonzo's Wiper.
Kalonzo eventually shelved his presidential ambitions and became Raila's running mate. Muthama remained a strong defender of the alliance despite resistance from sections of the Kamba political establishment.
He again championed opposition unity before the 2017 election.
The push resulted in the formation of the National Super Alliance, which brought together Raila, Kalonzo, Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetang'ula.
The Wiper leader once again accepted the running mate position. Muthama was among the politicians who believed a united opposition stood a better chance of defeating the incumbent.
However, the political marriage between duo later deteriorated. Their differences became increasingly public as they disagreed over the direction of Wiper and Kalonzo's presidential ambitions.
The fallout deepened ahead of the 2022 elections.
Muthama abandoned Kalonzo's political camp and became a key player in Ruto's United Democratic Alliance.
He was among the founding figures of UDA and helped build the political vehicle that propelled Ruto to the presidency.
Kalonzo, meanwhile, remained in Raila's Azimio coalition. Their latest apparent rapprochement has therefore generated interest.
Kalonzo is positioning himself as a leading opposition presidential contender and says he is entitled to be the opposition’s flagbearer.
He has stepped up political activities and rebranded the Wiper Democratic Movement-Kenya to the Wiper Patriotic Front as he prepares for 2027.
In a lengthy political statement, the former senator described Kalonzo as a seasoned politician whose influence cuts across successive administrations. He cited Kalonzo's political journey under former Presidents Daniel Moi and Mwai Kibaki.
He also pointed to his longstanding partnership with Raila.
"His experience, negotiating ability, political networks and demonstrated capacity to remain relevant across successive administrations make him a consequential figure," Muthama said.
"His decisions could influence coalition arithmetic, campaign momentum and the balance of political forces."
Muthama said that Kalonzo's political value should not be judged merely by the position he occupies. He said his ability to influence national coalitions makes him a significant player.
“Kibaki, despite emerging from a different political tradition, similarly recognised Kalonzo’s worth.”
“His appointment of Kalonzo as vice-president demonstrated confidence in his capacity to contribute to national leadership and strengthen a broader political coalition. It confirmed that Kalonzo was more than a regional leader; he was a politician whose influence could matter significantly in government.”
The former senator also recalled his past political conversations with Raila and the confidence the late former ODM boss had in Kalonzo.
“Raila’s decision to select the Wiper leader as running mate twice demonstrated sustained confidence in his political relevance,” he said.
A running mate, Muthama said, is not simply a constitutional accessory.
The position, he said, carries political weight, requiring someone capable of strengthening alliances, mobilising support and complementing the presidential candidate’s national appeal.
He said the late Prime Minister had expressed interest in working with him and Kalonzo ahead of 2027.
According to Muthama, Raila wanted him back in his political team as a striker wearing jersey number nine.
