Raila responds to reports of endorsing Kalonzo's 2027 presidential bid

By Peter Ochieng

Azimio leader Raila Odinga has responded to reports of endorsing Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka's 2027 presidential bid.

Over the weekend, Odinga showered Musyoka with praises for backing his 2013, 2017 and 2022 presidential contests, terming him a good man and with strong christian values.

As such, many concluded that Raila had endorsed Musyoka's 2027 presidential ambitions.

However, the former Prime Minister now says his praises for the former Vice President do not in any way imply that he is backing him for the top seat.

He issued a statement through Dennis Onyango, his spokesman.

"In his speech, Odinga clarifies that his praises for H.E Kalonzo Musyoka for standing with him in three successive elections, his strong Christian values and the support Musyoka has built across the country was not an endorsement of Mr Musyoka as the Azimio presidential candidate in 2027," reads the clarification by Onyango.

"His words of praise for Mr Musyoka were therefore not intended to mean he had or intends to quit active politics."

Odinga said Azimio remains a coalition of equals, and that a presidential flagbearer will only be named a year or months to the 2027 general polls.

"That candidate will, however, not be named until a year or just months to the 2027 election," he said.

Speaking in Kitui county, Odinga reffered to Kalonzo as a good hearted man.

"Kalonzo has a good heart, hardworking and one you can trust, he is also a Christian. He is trustworthy and loving. The other day, I heard President Ruto saying that he knows I will not contest and he is ready for Kalonzo. He talks about Kalonzo as if he is Kalonzo. Kalonzo is ten times better than him, he only wants to pit us against each other."

Raila has unsuccessfully vied for presidency for five times, in 1997, 2007, 20013, 2017 and 2027.

He was defetead by Daniel Arap Moi, Mwai Kibaki, Uhuru Kenyatta twice and William Ruto.