Kalonzo rules out supporting Raila in 2027

By Peter Ochieng

Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has ruled out any possibility of supporting ODM supremo Raila Odinga's 2027 presidential bid.

Odinga who has previously lost presidential contests in 1997, 2007, 2013, 2017 and 2022, has not publicly stated whether he will vie for the top seat in 2027 or not.

Musyoka supported him in 2013, 2017 and 2022. The former Vice President says he is looking foward to the 2027 race to State House.

"If I was ready in 2002, 2013 why do you think I will not be ready in 2027? The right time has come for this country to recognize a leader they have always rejected. I have played the team…I have selflessly supported others. If the country is ready for it, I will go for it,” he said, during an NTV interview.

Kalonzo said the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya coalition, will give president William Ruto a strong candidate, giving a hint that he will be the one.

“Giving up my presidential ambitions will actually mean I go home. We are at the tail-end of a process which should deliver this country. Azimio will give (President William) Ruto a strong candidate this time round.”

He added that going foward, he can't rule out the possibility of president Ruto supporting him.

“At this time, the stars are aligned and the whole country is saying it. You may not be shocked when Ruto who calls me his bigger brother and says he will support me."

“I believe in consultations and I said it publicly that mapema ndio best, even during the campaigns I said that if there is one thing I learnt from William Ruto is that from 2013 after they took over from Jubilee, he set his eyes on 2022 and started campaigning...poor Uhuru Kenyatta could not handle him.”

He said he is not about to drop his political relationship with Odinga.

“Raila is a very astute leader, I know Raila Odinga, he knows me. We will go the same way. We will go the same route with Raila Odinga unless some devil intervenes, you never know. This relationship is really tested."

Kalonzo Musyoka was an unsuccessful candidate in the 2007 presidential election, after which he was appointed vice-president by Kenya's third president, the late Mwai Kibaki in January 2008.