Azimio MPs back Kalonzo for 2027

A section of Azimio MPs have rallied behind Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka to fly the coalition’s flag in 2027 battle with President William Ruto.

Eight legislators drawn from ODM, Jubilee and Wiper on Saturday drummed up support for the former Vice President whom they termed the best bet to unseat Ruto.

Speaking during a church service at Umoja II SDA church in Nairobi’s Embakasi East constituency, the lawmakers threw their weight behind Kalonzo as the opposition candidate in the next elections.

The lawmakers were senators Edwin Sifuna (Nairobi), Enoch Wambua (Kitui), Dan Maanzo (Makueni) and Agnes Kavindu (Machakos).

Others were MPs Babu Owino (Embakasi East), Julius Mawathe (Embakasi South), Amos Mwago (Starehe) and Mark Mwenje (Embakasi West).

Speaking during the service and fundraiser for the church, Sifuna who is also ODM secretary general, said they take cue from Raila who had pronounced himself on the issue of the coalition’s flagbearer.

“The position of ODM is communicated through the party leader Raila Odinga and he has himself said Kalonzo is the right person who is not only steadfast but also better than the current crop of leaders in the country,” Sifuna said after the church service.

The opposition chief last month hinted at backing his two-times running mate to run against President Ruto in 2027. 

Speaking when he presided over his elder brother, Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga’s birthday, the ODM boss declared Azimio could rally behind Kalonzo to unseat Ruto.

"Twice Kalonzo was on my side and our victory was stolen. He has been steadfast. Even in the last election, he was not given the mantle as the presidential candidate, but he stood with us," he said. 

"I want to tell him [President Ruto] that one of us will face him in 2027… and I want him to know we will stand with Musyoka to the end, his attempts to divide us will not succeed." 

The ODM leader, however, made a u-turn clarifying that his praise of the former VP was not an endorsement.

Raila commands political influence in his political bastions and whoever he will endorse, if he decides not to run, will have a head start. 

The change of heart is believed was informed by fears of an implosion in Azimio and concerns of anxiety in his backyard.

High-ranking Azimio leaders are said to have protested and asked that Raila clarify the remarks which had suggested that the coalition had settled on its 2027 flagbearer. 

But Wambua who is also the Senate Deputy Minority leader insisted that the issue of Azimio candidate was settled by Raila last month in Bondo.

“The issue of the 2027 presidential candidate was settled by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Kalonzo we are here to tell you that you will never walk alone,” Wambua said.

The second term senator said Kalonzo’s experience puts him ahead of everyone else in the race to unseat Ruto.

“Kalonzo will be the sixth President in 2027. We are here because we believe in your leadership. You are the only person who is going to save the country from bad leadership,” he said.

Embakasi MP Mwenje said they will rally behind the former VP adding that the country needs an experienced leader to steer it out of the economic mess.

“He [Kalonzo] has the potential to lead this country. We are behind you,” Mwenje said.

Speaking during the same function, Kalonzo who co-chairs the National Dialogue Committee said they will push for the audit of the last presidential elections to ascertain what transpired.

Azimio is yet to concede defeat and have on several occasions claimed that their victory was ‘stolen’.

“We are yet to get answers on what happened in 2022. We are not backing down on the audit of the presidential elections,” Kalonzo said.

The opposition lawmakers also vowed to shoot down the NADCO report should it fail to address the issue of cost of living.

"We will shoot down the report if it doesn't include the cost of living. The cost of unga and electricity must come down. The country is crying out for leadership with empathy, with the capacity to be ashamed when things are shameful," Sifuna said.