Kalonzo Musyoka, Kenya’s vice president from 2008 to 2013 under President Mwai Kibaki, became one of the co-principals in Raila’s Azimio la Umoja coalition in the 2022 election, after withdrawing his own presidential bid. He referred to Raila at the time as his “political brother”.
But in an interview with the Kenyan press earlier this week, Kalonzo said he is the best candidate to fly the opposition flag against President William Ruto, who is likely to seek a second term.
“Nothing will stop me. Even Ruto knows I will be his main challenger in 2027,” Kalonzo said.
Kalonzo Musyoka teases his intention to vie for presidency in 2027#KalonzosResolution@skmusyoka
@dannykariuki pic.twitter.com/LSMu7vI4ge— KTN News (@KTNNewsKE) January 9, 2024
After Ruto’s election victory in the 2022 presidential poll, he said at a political gathering that he is aware Azimio la Umoja was planning to push Kalonzo to contest against him in the next election. But Raila has remained tight-lipped on speculations he may step aside and let Kalonzo lead the opposition.
Unfazed by Raila’s silence, Kalonzo, the 70-year-old veteran politician who ran and finished third in the 2007 presidency under his Wiper Party, said he would rather retire from politics than support Raila again.
“If Raila decides to vie for the presidency, it will be an exciting race. I don’t expect any payback from him.”
Meanwhile, delegates from the Wiper Party are expected to meet in Nairobi later this month to formally endorse Kalonzo’s 2027 presidential bid.
Pressure on Raila
Raila who celebrated his 79th birthday last week, is under pressure from Kalonzo’s close political allies to declare his support for him. Kitui senator Enoch Wambua said Raila should pay the “political debt he owes” Kalonzo.
“Kalonzo is the president that Kenya has been waiting for. He is a statesman who sacrificed his own presidential ambitions three times. It is his time now,” Wambua said at a political gathering.
Makueni senator Dan Maanzo described Kalonzo as the most acceptable leader in the opposition coalition to go against Ruto. “We have [supported] Raila three times without success. Let’s try Kalonzo to get a different result,” he said.
But on the other side of the political divide, Raila’s allies have dismissed criticisms that he has exhausted all his chances of winning the presidency. “Our leader Raila must vie again in 2027. He is the only one we know. He is not going anywhere,” said Mombasa governor Abdulswamad Sherrif Nassir, one of Raila’s closest associates.
Former president Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party, another affiliate of the opposition coalition, has also backed Raila to stay put.
“Raila will be our presidential flag bearer. Those holding contrary opinions should pose or hold their horses,” its vice chairman David Murathe said.
Last October Raila publicly recognised Kalonzo’s political loyalty and friendship but did not say if he would back him to succeed him as the next opposition leader.
Kalonzo has no option but to remain and seek Raila’s nationwide support if he wins the opposition’s ticket and wants to shake Ruto in 2027, political analyst Edwin Kegoli tells The Africa Report.
“Kalonzo has to first solidify his political base across the country. He needs Raila who enjoys this support, to win opposition supporters’ hearts and minds,” he says.
According to Kegoli, Kalonzo also needs a strong financial base to push his presidential ambition.
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