KALONZO FINALLY DECLARES HIS PRESIDENTIAL RACE AGAINST RAILA

SUNDAY STANDARD
JANUARY 10 2010
By Kipchumba Some

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has officially declared a political battle with Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Speaking to The Standard On Sunday in an exclusive interview, the VP admitted existence of political competition between him and the PM but insisted "the political contest" will ultimately be decided by the electorate.

In a rare gesture, the VP speaks candidly about his rivalry and relations with the Prime Minister, his involvement in KKK alliance, relations with Agriculture Minister William Ruto, Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Tourism Minister Najib Balala and his vision for Kenya in 2010.

However, he thinks KKK is a label meant to disparage his relationship with leaders from different ethnic backgrounds. "I want to re-confirm that at no time did I use the term KKK. … The KKK label was given to us as an act of desperation by people who want to disparage the reputation of national leaders," Kalonzo said.

On the emerging political alliance with Uhuru and Ruto, the Mwingi North MP asserts: "Kenyans need to know that we have freedom of association, freedom of shared objectives." He observes that he has "no problems" working with the two alongside Balala.

The ODM-Kenya leader, who today makes a dramatic entry into Siaya town in Nyanza District – the PM’s political home turf – for a funds drive in aid of the ACK Church, maintains he has no personal differences with Raila.

"I called to wish him well in the New Year and to ask him for his contribution for today’s function," he said.

And the VP has a shocking verdict on the current Government in which he serves as the President’s principal assistant: "I maintain that the worst form of government is the grand coalition government because it leads to a gridlock of some kind in the execution of government agenda."

He says he elected to join it for fear of failure. "We would have let down the whole of Africa if this government, the first of its type in the continent, does not work."

Below are excerpts of the interview:

What are your goals this year as the Vice President and as a political leader?

It is the beginning of a new decade, perhaps another important political decade, but also a very important economic decade, a step towards realising Vision 2030. Therefore 2012 is a watershed year when I personally look forward to the country achieving a new constitution because that will improve our image internationally. I am also looking forward to deepening the ongoing reforms within my Home Affairs docket, especially the prison service.

What is the progress on reform agenda and do you believe Kenya shall finally realise the dream of having a new constitution?

I hope the PSC on constitutional affairs will build consensus on contentious issues, which have to do with executive authority in the country. It looks to me that Kenyans are very clear that they want one system of governance: parliamentary or presidential. There is consensus developing over devolution, which is very good. I personally dread the possibility of a contested referendum because that is what sowed the seeds that eventually almost blew up this country in 2007.

The Akiwumi Tribunal proposes a salary increment for MPs and a particularly improved package for yourself and Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

That matter is a draft. It has to come to Parliament for debate. I cannot attempt to pre-empt debate. I was there when the Speaker was given this report. It was supposed to have been kept until it was presented to Parliament for debate but it is one of those documents that have been leaked to whip up emotions. I am sure parliamentarians will be sensitive to the feelings of the people. If you recall that the PM’s terms have never been defined, then you begin to feel that there is some urgency to solve this matter. You recall the debate that erupted when a circular went out from the Office of the President saying this is how much the PM should be paid. The PM should not suffer for being Prime Minister. We should be bold enough to deal with these issues and separate the negative perceptions surrounding them. But I want to add that at a time when the economy is underperforming, we might even suggest that our salaries be slashed.

No doubt there has been some shadowboxing between yourself and Prime Minister Raila Odinga. How is your relationship with Raila?

The Prime Minister is a leader of a political party and I am also a leader of a political party and therefore, to that extent, we are always in competition. That is expected in a democracy and that should not be confused for political animosity. I have always been a bridge-builder and I can tell you we talk often and openly with the Prime Minister. I called him to wish him well in the New Year and to ask him for his contribution for a church function I am going to attend [today] in Siaya. My goodwill message is to promote that kind of thing. That tells you we are talking, but when it comes to political competitions, of course we have to follow party manifestos and philosophy. We are in the same Government, we work together, but we might not always see things the same way. Speaking for myself, I have no personal animosities against the Prime Minister.

Is there room for political reconciliation between you two or is it finally over?

Since this is just a political contest, I don’t think you can really talk of reconciliation. All I can say is that the political contest between the two of us will be decided in the near future by the electorate.

Are you or are you not vying for presidency in 2012?

As I have said, please take into account that I am a leader of a political party. Political parties are there to win political power. So that is rather obvious question to a lot of my supporters. They all know I ran for the presidency in last election and I must come up with a convincing reason why I am not going to run again.

Could you comment on the so-called KKK alliance which you are perceived to belong alongside Uhuru and Ruto.

The most offensive reactionary statement by a Kenyan to another one is to look at them and instead of looking at Kalonzo as a Vice President, you see him as a Kamba or Uhuru as Kikuyu and Ruto as Kalenjin. I want to re-confirm that at no time did I use the term KKK. Having said that, I want Kenyans to know that we have freedom of association, freedom of shared objectives. I have no problems working with them. And it is not just Ruto or Uhuru; we will work together with people who are like-minded, who have a shared vision for this country at heart, who believe in national healing and national reconciliation. I believe that Kenyans must get together again and cover our shame. This is the team to do it. This is the team that will build the big K called Kenyan. In any case, if you talk of a KKK alliance, where would you put others like Najib Balala (Tourism minister) and Eugene Wamalwa (Saboti) who are not members of Kalenjin, Kikuyu or Kamba? The KKK label was given to us as an act of desperation by people who want to disparage the reputation of national leaders.

You are on record for declaring the beginning of the last and final revolution while in Mombasa recently.

Kenyans have suffered a lot. They make attempts to get a new constitution only to backfire. They want to grow the economy, and we have serious reversals. As a result, the goals that we have set for ourselves as a nation are seemingly unachievable. This is what we are trying to achieve through this coalescing of minds. Revolution does not necessarily have to be bloody. There can also be a social revolution. That is what we are beginning to do- that Kenyans understand one another better, that they decide to fight a common fight. That is the kind of thing I was talking about. I am declaring an end to negative ethnicity, an end to negative thought, negative forces, endemic corruption, an end to those forces who think know best what is good for this country.

To what extent are the perceived competing interests within Coalition Government impeding the reform process?

It is expected of a grand coalition government to have problems. We have had disagreements, for example, over certain aspects of the constitution. But we are all concerned and I know the President and the Prime Minister realise it is important to overcome these challenges. We would have let down the whole of Africa if this government, the first of its type in the continent, does not work. But I maintain that the worst form of government is the grand coalition government because it leads to a gridlock of some kind in the execution of government agenda. Every government needs an opposition.