Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has announced that he will not attend the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party’s 20th anniversary celebrations slated for Mombasa next month.
Kalonzo, who was invited by ODM leader Raila Odinga as a founding member of the party, said he has other commitments on that day, including chairing his party’s National Delegates Convention (NDC) on October 10.
“I have been invited through a beautiful letter addressed to me as a founder member, where Raila calls me my brother. Unfortunately, I am going to reply and say Wiper will be having its NDC. I will not be there, and I wish them well. I gather William Ruto will be there as well. I will therefore not be there,” Kalonzo told reporters at the Wiper Party Secretariat in Karen, where he was issuing nomination certificates to candidates for the November 27 by-elections.
The Wiper leader further hinted that he does not wish to share a political podium with President William Ruto, who is expected to grace the ODM anniversary.
When asked whether opposition leaders would work with Raila in the future following his cooperation with Ruto, Kalonzo remained cautious but did not rule out the possibility.
“If Raila finds that things are bad on the other side, he is one of us. I respect him. I have spent a sizeable chunk of my life supporting him and standing with him. I don’t want to say anything more than that,” he said.
He dismissed claims of being approached by Ruto’s emissaries, terming the speculation as baseless.
“Stop that nonsense. They will talk, let them talk. They have a right to imagine. They have a right to dream. If wishes were horses, beggars could ride. These are idle talks of beggars,” Kalonzo stated.