•According to Wanjigi, Kalonzo, a former Vice President, does not fit the bill to succeed Raila should the ODM boss clinch the AU seat
•In Wanjigi’s opinion, the Wiper leader should consider retiring from politics and fronting a youthful successor from his party
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Safina party's 2022 presidential candidate Jimi Wanjigi has hit out at Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka over his political ambitions post a Raila Odinga legacy.
While drumming up support for the Azimio leader for his African Union Commission chairmanship, Wanjigi said with Raila’s exit from the local political scene for the continental assignment, Kalonzo should retire.
“Raila Odinga expressed his desire for the AU chairmanship and honestly I believe he is the best man for the job, he will do this country and this content proud. Honestly given his many years of impactful leadership in this country and beyond, I can confidently say he is the right man for the job,” he said.
According to Wanjigi, Kalonzo, a former Vice President, does not fit the bill to succeed Raila should the ODM boss clinch the AU seat.
In Wanjigi’s opinion, the Wiper leader should consider retiring from politics and fronting a youthful successor from his party.
“Kalonzo Musyoka has hit the road positioning himself to take over leadership, but he should just take the cue from Raila and retire. He has nothing new to offer Kenyans and instead should usher in a new leadership in his own Wiper party.”
Additionally, Wanjigi avers that the entire Azimio brigade has shifted focus to the AU job and is ignoring what the coalition was championing.
“What I don’t understand, however, is why since his (Raila) declaration, the people’s agenda, which we were made to believe, his coalition was championing, has been put on hold, and now the focus is on; if and when he takes the seat, who is going to benefit and how,” Wanjigi said.
The adoption of the National Dialogue Committee report by Parliament on February 24 set in motion the process of establishing and entrenching the Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition in the Constitution and two deputies.
With Raila’s probable exit, Kalonzo has been touted by observers as among Azimio leaders who may be handed the coalition’s leadership roles and occupancy of the newly created office.
Raila hasn’t fronted any candidate as his preferred successor should he clinch the AU seat but besides Kalonzo, Narc Kenya’s Martha Karua and ODM deputy leader Wycliffe Oparanya are probably successors by virtue of their seniority in the coalition party.
Raila has gained support from local and International leaders after he declared his bid for the AU job.
President William Ruto is fronting Raila for the post to replace Moussa Faki whose term is coming to an end.
On Monday, Ruto and Raila visited Uganda President Yoweri Museveni to lobby for support for the Azimio leader.
Raila said he is grateful to Ruto for endorsing his candidature for the African Union Commission Chairmanship.
“I am very grateful to President Museveni for strongly endorsing my candidacy and to President Ruto for fully backing it,” Raila said.
Raila has since affirmed that his AU bid will not stifle the opposition’s voice.
As Raila prepares to exit the country’s political scene, leaders from the Azimio coalition have positioned themselves for potential succession.