Azimio La Umoja One Kenya coalition leader Raila Odinga has clarified that he did not explicitly endorse Kalonzo Musyoka as their 2027 presidential candidate.
Speaking to Citizen TV on Wednesday, Odinga stated that he simply praised the former Vice President for his admirable character.
“Mimi sikusema nitaunga mkono Kalonzo Musyoka. Kile nilifanya nilimsifu bwana Kalonzo Musyoka kama mtu mwaminifu, ambaye ameweza kusimama na sisi kwa hali na mali wakati kulikua na ugumu.
(I did not say I will support Kalonzo Musyoka. What I did was I praised Mr. Kalonzo Musyoka as an honest person, who has been able to stand by us in circumstances and wealth when there were difficulties),” the former Prime Minister explained.
Azimio 2027 presidential candidate
He went on to state that Azimio was not focusing on 2027 general elections as disputes arising from the 2022 presidential polls were yet to be resolved.
“We are still concerned with what happened in 2022, because unless it is resolved properly, it is useless for anybody to try and run in 2027,” Odinga explained.
According to him, 2022 presidential poll results were yet to be published according to the law. He feared therefore that a similar outcome would befall their candidate in future.
“Now how do you begin to look at 2027? That is an academic exercise. We need to sort out what happened last year, and when the time comes people who are interested will come up and declare their candidature we will find a way of selecting whoever is going to be the candidate for Azimio,” he added.
Odinga mentioned notable names touted for the top position including; Kalonzo Musyoka.
Kalonzo on TV47
In a recent interview on TV47, Kalonzo Musyoka echoed Odinga’s sentiments regarding reforms in the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Musyoka faulted the electoral commission for their ‘losses’ in the past three presidential elections.
“This is what has happened in the last three subsequent elections- 2022, 2017 and 2013,” the Azimio co-principal added.
He maintained that he would only declare his stand once proper reforms on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) were effected.
“Decisions will be followed by announcements but before that we will have consultations. I lead a party which believes in consultations. This is why Kenyans will agree it’s a highly disciplined political movement,” Kalonzo Musyoka added.
On his part, he hinted at vying for the top electoral seat come 2027.
