Last month, PNU and ODM secretaries general, Kiraitu Murungi and Anyang’ Nyong’o, who co-chaired the pro-‘Yes’ parliamentary group, put on notice wavering "senior leaders and ministers".
Even though they did not mention names, there is no doubt in the minds of many that Kalonzo tops this list. The ‘Yes’ MPs’ strategic meeting was the second after the one of leaders from 23 parties that arrived at a ten-point campaign agreement. Then the VP scored big as the group backed, almost entirely, his initial approach to the impending referendum polls.
Among the points of agreement was that politicians should not use the referendum to propagate their presidential ambitions and efforts be made to reach out to the ‘No’ camp.
United States International University-Africa lecturer Macharia Munene blames the VP for the ‘Yes’ team’s woes.
"If I were his handler I would advise that he does something about his weakling and wishy-washy image, since this has all along been Kalonzo’s undoing," observes Munene.
What complicates the VP’s case is that virtually all his foot soldiers, led by ODM-Kenya Chairman Samuel Poghisio are walking in the opposite direction.
But is the VP truly dithering in his support for the draft or is he simply a misunderstood politician?
Office of the Vice-President PS Ludeki Chweya explains Kalonzo cannot afford to waver in his support for ‘Yes’.
Stating the VP is one of the serious contenders for the presidency in 2012, the former University of Nairobi lecturer says the VP will blow up his chances if he stands in the way of the Proposed Constitution. "Kenyans want a new constitution and there is no doubt it will pass. So why would a serious candidate oppose the document at the referendum and hope to govern the country on the very document he does not believe in?" poses Dr Chweya.
If the VP is firmly in ‘Green’ camp, then he needs to whip up his troops into shape. Last month, for instance, as he rose to the podium to address the ‘Yes’ campaign rally at Nairobi’s Uhuru Park, he was jeered by a section of the crowd that chanted back "Yes-No-Yes-No".
What the VP did not know, as one MP in attendance observed, is that the rival ‘No’ rally in Machakos was being beamed live on one of the TV stations and some speakers claimed Kalonzo was in their camp.
All this while, part of the audience at Uhuru Park had witnessed Higher Education Minister William Ruto and Poghisio claim the VP was part of their team — thanks to mobile phone technology
But former Cabinet minister Mukhisa Kituyi blames the VP for creating confusion in the ‘Yes’ camp by changing positions. "He is simply dramatising the tragedy of his character, which is standing up for absolutely nothing," he said.
The former Kimilili MP adds: "Despite 25 years in politics, he remains a spineless leader and it is a fatal experience that he is seeking the highest office in land".
Munene warns the VP to be wary of friends in the ‘No’ camp: "They are only fuelling the situation. Simply, the ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ sides are jointly shredding his credibility by portraying him as an either-neither politician."
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