Raila Makes a U-Turn After Endorsing Kalonzo

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga vehemently refutes claims suggesting his endorsement of Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka as the presidential flagbearer for the 2027 General Election within the Azimio Coalition.

In a statement released through his Personal Assistant, Dennis Onyango, the former Presidential candidate firmly emphasizes that it is premature to declare support for any specific candidate at this stage.

Odinga goes on to clarify that his public commendation of the Wiper leader during the celebration of Oburu Odinga’s birthday was solely intended to acknowledge the invaluable support Kalonzo Musyoka has previously offered to the coalition.

The endorsement of a presidential candidate is a decision that will be made at an appropriate time in the political process, and Odinga underscores his commitment to a thorough and deliberate selection process to ensure the coalition’s success in the upcoming elections.

“Odinga therefore clarifies that his praise for H.E. Kalonzo Musyoka for standing with him in three successive elections, the Wiper leader’s strong Christian values and the support Mr. Musyoka has built across the country was not an endorsement of Mr. Musyoka as the Azimio presidential candidate in 2027,”  read the statement in part.

“Rather, the praise was an acknowledgment and appreciation of past deeds that are in the public domain.”

The former Prime Minister further explained that the decision to choose a flag bearer would only be made once the time was right and the leader in question has shown a proven record with the party membership.

“Odinga views Azimio as a coalition of equals, in which every leader stands a fair and equal chance to emerge as the presidential candidate in 2027, depending on each leader’s relationship with the party membership. That candidate will however not be named until a year or just months to the 2027 election,” he added.

“Odinga however believes that Mr. Musyoka has what it takes to beat Hon. William Ruto in a free and fair presidential contest, contrary to Mr. Ruto’s recent claim that he would easily beat the Wiper leader Mr. Odinga further assures Azimio supporters and the country that he plans to remain very active in party and national politics all the way to 2027.

His words of praise for Mr. Musyoka were therefore not intended to mean he had or intends to quit active politics,” the statement added.

The press had widely reported that the former Prime Minister appeared to endorse Kalonzo during his speech in Siaya County.

At the event, he defended Kalonzo from jabs thrown by President William Ruto, where the Head of State claimed that if Kalonzo was endorsed as the Coalition’s flagbearer, he was likely to emerge victorious.

“This man we have stood with him together since the KANU regime, we went ahead together to NDP, we went to NARC and even to ODM and we have stood with him twice fighting,” he said at the time.