His political obituary has been written several times before, but Wiper Democratic Movement leader Kalonzo Musyoka, the self-styled “mtu wa kupita katikati yao” has somehow managed to limp on.
Previous political stumbles ─ one as a presidential candidate and the other as a running mate in successive elections have left him bruised ─ but it is last year’s general election that now seems to be the straw that broke the camel’s back.
To analysts who gave it a less than charitable interpretation, Kalonzo’s recent pronounced willingness to be President Uhuru Kenyatta’s “mtu wa mkono” (errand boy) provides a glimpse into the disposition of a man hanging on a thin thread of political relevance.
The ‘errand boy’ remarks during the funeral of his father, Peter Musyoka Mairu, last Friday has sparked outrage among some within his Wiper party.
It has not escaped critics that Kalonzo made the remarks ahead of his appointment as the new head of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) on peace in South Sudan.
Observers have been looking for a hidden message in the pronouncements that might provide clues about the Ukambani kingpin’s political designs.
Political analyst Kissinger Kakai says a series of events that have bruised the former vice president may have pushed him into accepting to work with Uhuru.
Kakai’s argues that apart from defeat in successive presidential polls, Kalonzo has been beset by personal struggles, including his wife Pauline’s long battle and eventual triumph over cancer and the recent loss of his father.
“Kalonzo is a man who has had a series of misfortunes, some at a personal level like what was happening with his wife…therefore accepting the envoy job is part of his political survival,” he told a local daily.
Kakai argues that the essence of politics is relevance and the South Sudan job offers the former VP something to latch on to ahead of the 2022 presidential election.
“This is about political survival and Kalonzo has realised that if you are not in the limelight, you will be forgotten…in terms of jobs, he wants to earn a living and maintain relevance,” said Kakai.
A section of his political bedrock is, however, not amused by his cooperation with the Jubilee administration and see it as a betrayal.
Tellingly, it is one of Kalonzo’s key confidants Makueni Governor Kivutha Kiwbana who is leading the criticism of the party leader over the ‘errand boy’ remarks.
Kibwana, who is also the Wiper chairman, has accused Kalonzo of “demeaning” his status and questioned his commitment to his 2022 presidential bid.
Will Kalonzo bounce back?