- Ngilu says it was time Raila returned a favour for the support he has enjoyed from Kalonzo over the years.
- She said she was determined to face Raila and beseech him to declare support for Kalonzo.
Image: MUSEMBI NZENGU
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s quest to be president has received a shot in the arm after former Kitui governor, Charity Ngilu, pledged to convince Raila Odinga to declare him the Azimio flagbearer in 2027.
Ngilu, a long-time political ally of Raila, said on Saturday that she will talk him into declaring Kalonzo Tosha now that he is exiting the local political scene for an AU assignment.
“We belong to Azimio. Our former presidential candidate has looked elsewhere. Raila Odinga has exited the local political arena. That leaves one of our own, Kalonzo, only a heartbeat from the throne,” Ngilu said.
Raila will in February next year contest the African Union Commission chairmanship and if he clinches the position, He will server up to 2028 -year after the 2027 presidential polls are held.
Ngilu was addressing mourners at the funeral ceremony of educationist Agnetta Peter at Katuuni village in Mumoni, Mwingi north.
The Agnetta who succumbed to cancer served as Ngilu’s education chief officer when she was Kitui governor.
Earlier she served as a high school principal and county TSC director.
“I will go and talk to him and ask him to declare Kalonzo the presidential candidate. Our very own can be at the helm or does it breaks any bone?” Ngilu posed.
Image: MUSEMBI NZENGU
She added that it was time Raila retuned the favour for the backing he received for his presidential ambition in the past.
“I have supported Raila's presidential ambition for years. Kalonzo too has supported him for years. What then would make him not declare Kalonzo the presidential candidate?” posed Ngilu.
She said she was determined to face Raila and beseech him to declare support for Kalonzo as a presidential candidate just as Kalonzo has professed support for his presidential candidature in the past.
Image: MUSEMBI NZENGU
At the same time Ngilu backed the call for the carving off of a new Mwingi county out of the expansive Kitui county. She however said local leaders have to shun political differences and lobby in one accord for the new county.
“This is a weighty issue that requires concerted efforts. Even local leaders known to be sworn enemies must come together to push for and demand for Mwingi county,” she said.
She said Kitui county was too big with a land mass of about 30,000 square kilometres. She added Mwingi merits to get a county as it was larger than many counties like Vihiga county.
Ngilu also echoed her intention to seek a come-back as the governor of Kitui. She said among all the candidates, she was the only one who matches the responsibilities that come with the governorship.
She sent out an appeal to men salivating at the Kitui governor seat in 2027 to drop their quest.
“You should leave the seat for women. As men and with our support, you should go for more competitive national positions,” Ngilu said.