Kalonzo sets the stage for battle with Ruto in 2027 after ‘endorsement’
Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has set the stage for an epic battle with President William Ruto after securing a crucial ‘endorsement’ by one of his top party organs.
Addressing the press on Tuesday after chairing a national executive council meeting, the Wiper leader said he will soon begin traversing the country to popularise his bid in the run-up to the 2027 election.
“Nothing prevents a presidential candidate from covering the length and the breadth of this country, introducing himself, consulting,” he said.
The Kalonzo brigade is preparing the former VP for an endorsement by political bigwigs to pave the way for a second presidential bid.
The Wiper chief, who has twice played running mate to Azimio leader Raila Odinga, is angling for the support of the ODM boss and retired President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Kalonzo was, however, relegated from the second in command by Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua in the 2022 general election.
Recently, his close confidant who is also the Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua said Raila and Uhuru must back the Wiper chief for his 2027 presidential bid.
“I am also entitled to my view that Kalonzo will be the Azimio-OKA presidential candidate in 2027 with the full backing of Baba Raila Odinga, President Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta, and the galaxy of Azimio–OKA principals,” Wambua said in a statement.
The former Prime Minister’s close associates have also indicated that they are comfortable backing the former VP.
Late last year, eight Azimio legislators drawn from ODM, Jubilee, and Wiper drummed up support for Kalonzo, termining the best bet to unseat President Ruto.
The lawmakers, led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, spoke during a church service at Umoja II SDA church in Nairobi’s Embakasi East constituency.
“The position of ODM is communicated through the party leader Raila Odinga and he has himself said Kalonzo is the right person who is not only steadfast, but also better than the current crop of leaders in the country,” Sifuna said.
Raila said in September last year that he would back Kalonzo only to withdraw the remarks.
Wiper Secretary General Shakila Abdalla said the party will rally behind its leader.
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“We urge Kenyans not to lose hope … NEC will represent his [Kalonzo’s] candidature to the party organs in due course,” the nominated senator said.
“Kalonzo Musyoka’s servant leadership resonates with all Kenyans, offering them a compelling vision and a renewed hope for the future of our great nation.”
The Wiper leader who first ran for president in 2007 on the ODM-Kenya ticket is under pressure from his Ukambani backyard to take a second stab at the seat.
The region’s political leaders say that he must run after sacrificing three times for Raila.
According to Wiper’s plan, Kalonzo will be stepping up meetings across the country to popularise his bid by leading membership recruitment.
The former VP is seen as a potential replacement for the ODM boss, who is being fronted for the African Union Commission job.
NEC criticized Kenya’s foreign policy, saying said the country has failed on the diplomatic front.
“Kenya Kwanza is pitting Kenyans against their closest neighbors with endless diplomatic rows from DRC, Uganda to Tanzania. It took a lot of effort to build this relationship,” Abdalla said.
She said the policies of the Kenya Kwanza administration have failed to alleviate Kenyans from poverty.
“Kalonzo’s leadership resonates well with Kenyans. He is our renewed hope for a failing great nation,” the Wiper secretary general said.
Present at the meeting were Kitui Governor Julius Malombe, senators Wambua (Kitui), Agnes Kavindu (Machakos) Dan Maanzo (Makueni), and Mavoko MP Patrick Makau.
Kalonzo sets the stage for battle with Ruto in 2027 after ‘endorsement’
