Muthama resigns as Wiper member, vows to campaign for NASA nationally

Deep cracks have surfaced in the Wiper Democratic Party (WDM-P) after Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama announced he was ditching it, citing “irreconcilable differences” with its leader Kalonzo Musyoka.

Muthama further said he would not defend his seat but would concentrate on national campaigns for NASA flag bearer Raila Odinga.

Addressing a press conference at his rural home, Muthama said his differences with party leader Kalonzo had reached an irreconcilable stage.

Wiper’s National Vice Chairman Mutula Kilonzo Junior described Muthama’s exit as “terrible” and a big blow to the party and the NASA fraternity.

“The Wiper party has been dealt a big blow and may sink before August polls. It is completely terrible,” said Mutula. He said Wiper was losing key soldiers, referring Muthama and Senator David Musila who quit only last week.

Muthama cited poor management of the just concluded party primaries and disrespect by the party leader as reasons for quitting.

Kalonzo, he said, had ignored other stakeholders in the party to singlehandedly pick candidates for gubernatorial positions in the region.

“He has ignored everyone to hand pick people who have been opposed to the party all along. I will not be party to such machinations,” said Muthama.

He recalled how he and others founded the party to democratically empower the rights of the poor. Young and the marginalised, an issue he said was not observed of late.

“The recent developments and party decisions greatly disappointed me. A culture of killing democracy has emerged in our party and repression has been promoted by the party leader by imposing candidates and ensuring that by hook or crook they become wiper candidates,” said Muthama.

An angry Muthama said Kalonzo showed disrespect to the party founders by bringing on board Makueni Governor Prof Kivutha Kibwana and giving him a direct ticket even before disbanding his Muungano Party.

Other issues are the mismanagement of Kitui County Gubernatorial nominations between incumbent Makau Malombe and Musila.

In Machakos County, Muthama expressed his bitterness with how Wiper entered an agreement with Chama Cha Uzalendo giving Wavinya Ndeti a direct ticket to wrestle Governor Mutua in the August polls.

He regretted that Machakos Deputy Governor Benard Kiala was elbowed out after being Wiper’s defender-in-chief since Dr Alfred Mutua bolted. “It is the same Kalonzo who imposed Governor Mutua on the people in 2013 elections, ” he said.

Kiala has since filed a suit protesting the outcome of the nominations in which Kathiani MP,  Wavinya Ndeti garnered 227, 947 votes against Kiala’s 4, 508. Earlier, the disputes tribunal nullified an earlier poll in which Wavinya had bagged 299, 312 against Kiala’s 4, 663.

Muthama said the whole process was shambolic, alleging the party’s top organ interfered with the polls to deny Kiala justice.

“It is no longer a democratic party. I do not have any more courage to campaign for the party anywhere in the country because the party has destroyed peoples trust,” said Muthama.

Observers say the move may frustrate NASA’s bid to unseat the Jubilee administration and that the Ukambani region may be too hard for Kalonzo to consolidate.

Mutula Jnr says the coming of other small parties from Ukambani was meant to strengthen the party but not to weaken it.

“The prospects of our party leader are completely going down. If the party leadership is not changed for the better, it may affect Kalonzo’s political life,” said Mutula.

Muungano party and Chama Cha Uzalendo are still independent parties competing with Wiper despite the fact that their party leaders defected to Wiper and were given direct tickets.

“We have lost both ways. We don’t have a flag bearer, and we are not strong now. After nominations we have weak candidates. Those who are exiting are loyal members who started politics long time ago. The new comers are just for convenience,” said Mutula in telephone interview with The Informer.

Mutula said the continuous wars would weaken the opposition, thereby giving Uhuru Kenyatta advantage.

Muthama is said to have contemplated changing his political base from Machakos to Nairobi to vie as a senator on an ODM ticket but was reportedly prevailed upon by former Prime Minister not to take the drastic step as it would lend credence to the claims that he was a great sympahiser of the former long-serving Lang’ata MP and the party he leads.

“A tree that supports a hut once removed, the whole hut breaks down. I will leave with whatever is mine when that time comes,” Said Muthma.

Mbooni MP Kisoi Munyao said Jubilee would reap the most, considering the circumstances.

“Such injustices are the reason I and others left wiper. It is a total injustice to party supporters and this will give Jubilee mileage,” he said.