‘I am the one to take over from Raila’: Karua dismisses Kalonzo

Narc-Kenya party leader Martha Karua has dismissed Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s remarks that he is most suitable to take over the leadership of Azimio if Raila Odinga succeeds in his bid to become chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC).

This was after Raila declared interest in taking over from Chad’s Moussa Faki, whose term at AUC ends in February 2025.

In an interview published by Daily Nation on Thursday, April 11, 2024, Karua noted that she is the one to take over the Azimio leadership role since she is Raila’s deputy in the coalition party.

Karua emphasized that the matter of who should take over from Raila if he becomes AUC chairperson is out of question since she is the coalition’s deputy.

A file photo of Narc-Kenya party leader Martha Karua.

“If I’m the deputy, is that a question? Even in small organisations like a school, when the headmaster goes to a meeting in Nairobi, who acts? It is the deputy,” Karua told the Daily Nation.

“If we are unable to follow simple basic rules, then something is very wrong with us,” she added.

The Narc Kenya party leader was responding to remarks Kalonzo was making about his suitability to lead Azimio during his tours in the country.

Prior to the August 2022 elections, Kalonzo shelved his bid for a third time and declared his support for Raila Odinga who was contesting for the presidency for a fifth time.

For instance Kalonzo was Raila’s running mate in the 2013, 2017 and 2022 presidential elections.

Meanwhile, during his recent tours in different parts of the country, Kalonzo who is also a former vice president has been saying that he will be President William Ruto’s main challenger in the 2027 elections.

On the other hand, Karua, who was Raila’s running mate in the 2022 elections has maintained that Azimio is still strong and she is now focused on making Narc Kenya even stronger.

“Before His Excellency Raila put in his bid for AUC, we all agreed, go build your party, the strength of the party is the strength of Azimio. He’s done very well building ODM and I’m following in his footsteps building Narc Kenya. That is my main task now,” said Karua.