Wiper will form an alliance with Gachagua - Senator Maanzo

This he said on Thursday, claiming that there is a possible split between Wiper and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.

"Wiper will form an alliance with Rigathi Gachagua. We will form a big alliance which will form 50+1 [in] round one," he said speaking on Citizen TV.

He added that there are cracks in the political dome despite the two parties being under the Azimio-One Kenya coalition party. 

Maanzo believes the cracks stem from ODM's political pact with the government after its boss Raila Odinga gave President William Ruto a shot in the arm, forming the broad-based government.

The legislator further noted that the two parties stopped reading the same script after ODM stopped acting as the nation's opposition during the anti-government protests in June 2024.

"ODM and Wiper today are in a coalition, Azimio has not been killed. ODM decided to save the country when Ruto was overrun through Parliament and was about to be overrun in State House. That is what ODM was making sure does not happen and the country can scrape through to 2027 when we can have another election," he said.

"After all we are all looking for a united nation [and] we have already charted our path of looking for votes. If ODM joins us on the way we will work with them."

ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna however disputed Maanzo's sentiments, urging him to practice restraint when speaking on the coalition's political path.

Sifuna maintained that the coalition will remain united and that the mandate to announce the coalition's political stance lies with its bosses, Kalonzo and Raila.   

"I know your constituency does not give you the power to say some of the things you are saying. It is a discussion that happens at a higher level," Sifuna told Maanzo.

"You and me can fight here but we can be brought together by our bosses. I don't understand why you are saying that ODM and Wiper are done. We are not leaving each other."

This comes after Gachagua hinted at a political alliance with the Wiper boss, stating that Kalonzo has proven to be an ally of the Mt.Kenya region and the mountain shall return the favour at the right time.

In December 18, 2024, Gachagua said the mountain owes Kalonzo a debt for supporting the late President Mwai Kibaki, and 2027 is the time to pay the debt.

"Kalonzo stood with Mwai Kibaki and we did not repay that debt. Now we must cast votes in the same ballot," added Gachagua.

Kalonzo has reiterated that he will stage the stiffest competition against President Ruto in the 2027 General Election.

The political premier, who has had an uncertain stance in vying for the nation's top seat for eons, said he will be a formidable force come the next election cycle.

He has also noted that his candidacy in 2027 will not be frustrated by Mr. Odinga's quest for the seat.

Odinga has however remained tight-lipped on his 2027 plans, maintaining that his focus in on clinching the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson seat.

All the 54 African heads of State will be voting for the next position's occupant in February as its current occupant Moussa Faki plans his exit.