Wiper Party has downplayed an alleged rift in its leadership ranks dismissing it as “a non-issue and a creation of the media” accusations by some of its legislators that Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama is not advancing the interests of the party.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka yesterday presided over the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting days after he publicly reprimanded Muthama at roadshow in Mwingi.
The senator was conspicuously missing from the NEC meeting, avoiding what would have been his first public meeting with Kalonzo since the weekend spat.
The two differed publicly over Muthama’s attack on Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana who the senator wanted to fold his Muungano Development Movement party and join Wiper, a matter that did not sit well with Kalonzo.
The Wiper leader, who lost his cool, interrupted Muthama claiming he (Kalonzo) is aware of Muthama’s underhand dealings with Siaya Senator James Orengo to lock him out of the Cord presidential contest. “I am fully aware of what you have been doing behind my back with Orengo to predetermine the outcome of Cord presidential primaries and deny me the ticket.
You must convince Wiper supporters that the ticket you are pushing for can deliver victory for Cord,” he charged. Yesterday, the party secretary general and Mombasa Senator Omar Hassan said the reported discontent in the party is imaginary and that all party members, save for the seven who are facing disciplinary action, are in total support of former Vice President’s presidency bid.
He also denied reports that yesterday’s NEC meeting was convened to quell discontent in the party claiming it was a routine meeting planned weeks before the weekend incident.
“This NEC meeting was not called for any other reason other than the agenda which was set weeks ago. This was purely a routine NEC meeting,” he said after the meeting yesterday. He refuted claims that some members of the party are viewing Muthama as working with ODM forces to “spoil for Kalonzo” in the coming Cord’s presidential nominations.
“All our members are in agreement that it is Kalonzo Musyoka who will be our Presidential candidate. The feeling that he (Muthama) is undermining him is not there. The media has misinterpreted the whole thing and blown it out of context,” he said.
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