President Uhuru Kenyatta had his hand in Kalonzo Musyoka’s decision to appear before the Azimio One Kenya Coalition panel yesterday despite the latter saying that it was his personal decision, The Informer has learnt.
Kenyatta is said to have been concerned by Kalonzo’s refusal to attend the interview despite being part of the team that arrived at the decision of conducting the interviews to ensure that the team choses a running mate who fits the bill.
Kenyatta and KANU party leader are said to have convinced the Ukambani kingpin to appear before the panel in order to increase his chances of being the ‘chosen one’
“Kanu Chairman Gideon Moi, who has endorsed him for the position, implored him to attend so that it doesn’t look like both of them had ulterior motives against the panel,” a local daily quoted a source privy to the information.
“Gideon was calling Kalonzo after the President called him and told him to present himself before the panel.”
While appearing before the panel for the interview Musyoka intimated that the decision to appear before the committee was to ensure that his absence is not used as an excuse to lock him out from the position.
“I want to tell you that the decision to come was my decision because I realised, we didn’t want to give anybody an excuse to say aligomea kukuja (I refused to turn up),” Musyoka said.
Initially, the Wiper party had said that it would not engage with the panel. For the party a person of Kalonzo’s stature was supposed to be discussing matters of the coalition with President Kenyatta and Odinga.
Musyoka was the first to appear before the panel yesterday, followed by former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth, National Liberal Party leader Stephen Tarus, Narc leader Charity Ngilu and Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya of the Party of National Unity.