Kalonzo Musyoka: Azimio is Ready to Soldier on Without Raila Odinga
Kalonzo Musyoka, the leader of the Wiper party, has affirmed that the Azimio Coalition will persist and continue its efforts, even if opposition leader Raila Odinga is not present.
Mr. Musyoka assured that there will be a seamless transition in the opposition leadership while Mr. Odinga, the prominent figure of the Azimio Coalition, gets ready to announce his candidacy for the chairmanship of the African Union Commission.
Last week, the ex-prime minister, in the company of former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, announced his aspiration for the leading position in the African Union. The current officeholder, Moussa Faki, is set to conclude his term in January 2025.
“Raila is going for a higher position and we are praying for him to succeed. We are looking at the interest of Kenya and not Kenya Kwanza or Azimio la Umoja because Raila is now above local politics,” said Mr Musyoka.
“I want to assure you as Azimio la Umoja that we are united. Two days after Raila announced his candidature, we met and agreed that as Azimio we must stand firm and defend the rights of Kenya,” Mr Musyoka added.
The ex-Vice President delivered his comments on Sunday at Kenyatta Market in Nairobi’s Lang’ata constituency, just after participating in a service at Nairobi Baptist Church.
Mr. Musyoka asserted that the gathering of Azimio leaders following Mr. Odinga’s announcement of his candidacy served as a representation of unity. He emphasized that there is no need to worry about the fragmentation of opposition politics in the event of Mr. Odinga’s absence.
Mr. Musyoka, Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua (who served as Mr. Odinga’s running mate in the previous election), and former Meru governor Peter Munya were present at the Thursday meeting.
Additional individuals present were Eugene Wamalwa from the DAP, George Wajackoya representing the Roots Party, and Jeremiah Kioni, the secretary general of the Jubilee Party.
“I want to assure you that there is no gap and what has happened to our brother Raila Odinga is something we are proud of and we will campaign because he is now beyond party politics,” Mr Musyoka added.
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Mr. Musyoka was joined by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Enock Wambua from Kitui, and Members of Parliament including Musili Mawathe (representing Embakasi South), Stephen Mule (from Matungulu), and Edith Nyenze (representing Kitui West).
Viewed as the likely successor in the ODM leader’s absence, Mr. Musyoka seemed to have earnestly established his position for the 2027 elections.
He emphasized the need to resolve any contentious matters arising after the 2022 elections only after thorough deliberation and approval of the National Dialogue Committee (Nadco) report in Parliament.
“After the Nadco report is discussed, President William Ruto and Raila will have a team of auditors who will lay bare what happened in 2022. There are a lot of things that need to be addressed because if they are not addressed, the results of the 2027 elections will still be disputed,” he said.
One of the matters that requires attention involves the expansion of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioners from six to nine.
Mr. Kalonzo expressed his opinions on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) at a time when, on February 1, the High Court authorized the earlier panel appointed by President Ruto to continue fulfilling its constitutional responsibility of selecting new commissioners.
Judge Mugure Thande of the High Court stated that the existing constitutional stance on the appointment of new IEBC commissioners takes precedence, even in light of the political agreement between Azimio and Kenya Kwanza.
Mr. Odinga has declined to accept the court’s decision, which stated that the appointment of commissioners will not proceed until Parliament officially approves the Nadco report.
As he geared up to assume the highest leadership position in the country, Mr. Musyoka pledged to enhance the Wiper party’s influence by actively bringing in new members and establishing its offices throughout the nation.
“ODM has strengthened itself through a massive recruitment exercise and as Wiper, we will do the same with engagements across the country,” he said.
He restated that MPs from the opposition will resist the Housing Levy Bill when it comes back to Parliament this week.
Mr. Sifuna mentioned that as long as Mr. Musyoka maintains a positive political relationship with Mr. Odinga, they will support him for the highest position in 2027.
“These people are diehard Raila supporters and as long as you are with Baba (Raila), you don’t need to worry. What Raila says is what they will follow even when he is away,” said the ODM secretary general.
Mr. Mawathe and Mr. Mule stated that with Raila not participating in local politics, they believe Mr. Musyoka is the most promising candidate for the 2027 presidency, having endorsed the ODM leader on three occasions.
“Even if Raila is taken to AU or New York, he will still be our leader. Raila and Kalonzo have been together and in 2027, Kalonzo will take over the reins of leadership in this country,” said Mr Mawathe.
Mr Mule called on opposition politicians to be united, expressing confidence that Mr Musyoka will win the presidency with the support of ODM.
Kalonzo Musyoka: Azimio is Ready to Soldier on Without Raila Odinga