In this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for; as for me, I rejoice that I am not Kalonzo Musyoka, at least not in these turbulent political times. Apart from the fact that he is not in Kenya, there are many other underlying reasons why he didn’t make it for the state house lunch. In politics, there are no coincidences. The goose of our brother from Mwingi is roasted. To put a hot iron on a festering wound, the media has ignored his loud absence while reporting a state house lunch meeting between Raila, Wetangula, Uhuru, and Ruto. Though he has enjoyed state’s largesse throughout his career, he has been ‘brazing the cold’ perennially. Though these times must be hard for the former vice president, it does confirm that in Kenya, there are only two political powerhouses. One led by the son of the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and another led by the son of Jomo Kenyatta. This is a historic battle of the titans, settling of old scores and flexing muscles. The rest are fillers.
The reality which must be hitting the modern ‘Judas’ and the Commander in chief of the republic of ‘watermelon’ is this; he has never been a political heavyweight. Never has he been a serious contender for the presidency and I don’t think he will be in his entire political career which in my opinion is in its sunset days. In the grand scheme of things, Kalonzo Musyoka has never been part of the plan. Let me explain:
When UHURUTO were contemplating of vying for the presidency, the political hot potato was the cases that the duo was facing at the Hague-based Court. They had the numbers but the wall of Jericho that was standing between them and the promised land were the charges of crimes against humanity that was hanging over them like pregnant clouds. Among the names of potential candidates who had been floated included Musalia Mudavadi and Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka. The latter was touted as a serious option based on his experience in government and foreign policy.
But when the duo decided to run, it was like the cat was released from the bag. Musyoka was caught flat footed and he had to think of another strategy to stay afloat. Kalonzo fell into the arms of Raila Odinga whom he had battled in the entire life of the coalition government.
Indecisive Tag
The former Vice President has always been viewed as a man who is very indecisive. He lacks the backbone to make tough decisions. Wetangula, on the other hand, has been seen as a man who can be trusted to make tough decisions when called upon. And that’s what makes valuable politicians. The ability to dive into murky waters and wrestle alligators but still manage to put on a suit and negotiate corporate deals on a table. The enigma of Kenya’s politics and the longest serving opposition leader, Raila Odinga is a master at baffling the enemies and confusing the friends alike. He is charismatic and also enjoys cultic following on a national scale. What is the political philosophy of Kalonzo Musyoka?
When the two CORD principals were ‘pressing flesh’ and exchanging pleasantries over lunch with both the president and the deputy president, the media has not mentioned where the former deputy president was at.
An opportunist tag
While politics is a game of deception and putting different faces, Mr. Musyoka has not been able to shake off the ‘opportunist’ tag. His brand value is summarized as a man who is waiting for a misfortune to befall you so that he can take advantage of you. In politics, even though there are no permanent friends or permanent enemies, one would rather work with the devil they know than the angel they don’t know.
The former Vice President has always cut an image of a man who is clean, trustworthy but conveniently pounces on chances to take advantage of a situation.
Immediately after he lost the 2007 elections, while the nation was burning at the height of the post-election Violence, Kalonzo Musyoka was busy cutting deals in the corridors of power. Like a tortoises’ shell, the two tags ‘Judas and Watermelon’ have since been hard to shake off.
What does Kalonzo Musyoka bring on the table?
Politics is a game of numbers. The person who commands a big following has the seat of power. Raila Odinga has the majority of Nyanza, Coast, parts of Western, Nairobi, Rift Valley and North Eastern. Moses Wetangula commands a huge chunk of the Luhya vote. What about Kalonzo Musyoka?
He is perceived as a man who doesn’t have the entire lower Eastern vote basket under his control. He struggles to keep it under his belt. The Machakos Governor, Mutua seems to be sweeping the Kamba region with his ‘ maendeleo chap chap’ ideology. Charity Kaluki Ngilu has had the grasp of the Kitui vote since she vied for the presidency in 1997 becoming the first woman to do that. Political pundits have been pointing out that the former DP is left to ‘fight off wolves’ to retain his dwindling influence which now slightly covers his Mwingi home area. On a negotiating table, Kalonzo doesn’t bring any unique value to any political pact except his hot air promises which he has survived with for long but now seems to be expired.
He is replaceable
The value that a politician brings on the table determines how they are treated by their partners and potential partners. The alternative leader who has been branding himself as the to go to man in lower eastern Kenya is Governor Mutua. If nothing else, at least he can bring his PR expertise on the table. Charity Ngilu can bring in a huge chunk of the lower Eastern vote plus a considerable number of female votes on a national level. It is very hard to pinpoint the current influence of the former vice president.
Dannish Odongo works for Capital FM as a digital media strategist. He runs a blog on leadership and faith
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