Wiper Leaders Say Kalonzo Won't Take Oath as Deputy People's President

National Super Alliance (Nasa) co-principal Kalonzo Musyoka will not be taking oath as deputy people's president, Wiper leaders have said.

Speaking at Stoni Athi Resort in Machakos, Wiper leaders led by former Senator Johnstone Muthama and ex-Cabinet Minister Titus Mbathi said the swearing in would be unnecessary since it has no political value.

The leaders argued that Wiper should focus on strengthening its structures and formulating strategies ahead of Musyoka's 2022 presidential bid, instead of wasting time on meaningless issues.

“Why would you be sworn in just for the sake of it and yet you will not bring home any State power that can help your supporters after the event?” Mr Mbathi said.

Former Machakos senator Muthama questioned why Nasa members, especially ones from Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party have been ridiculing Musyoka for skipping Raila Odinga's swearing in, yet other leaders, including him, missed the event and have not been condemned.

Muthama said his absence at the mock swearing in was in the best interests of Wiper party.

“I, Muthama, was co-chair of the swearing-in planning committee alongside Siaya Senator James Orengo of ODM and Ford Kenya’s Kimilili MP Simiyu Eseli. Why are people bashing my party leader Kalonzo Musyoka alone instead of seeking answers as to why we all stayed away,” He noted.

He added: “I’ve never quit Wiper, I am fully behind Kalonzo Musyoka and my agenda is to make sure he becomes the president of this country. We will fight it out within the Nasa family."

When Kalonzo spoke at an ODM National Governing Council (NGC) meeting on Friday, delegates mounted pressure on him to take oath, chanting "Biblia! Biblia!(Bible)".

Kalonzo has in the past expressed his willingness to be sworn in, but insisted that Nasa must first put its house in order before he takes the oath.

"We do not want to issue empty dates and then we do not swear in. The commitment is still there, and how I wish I could be sworn-in even now," Musyoka said.