Opposition leader Raila Odinga, has quashed reports suggesting that he is endorsing Kalonzo Musyoka, the leader of the Wiper Party, as the coalition’s presidential candidate in the 2027 General Election.
His spokesperson Dennis Onyango has said in a statement that the commendation of Kalonzo Musyoka should not be misconstrued as the official stance of the party regarding their political ambitions in 2027.
“Mr. Odinga therefore clarifies that his praise for H.E. Kalonzo Musyoka for standing with him in three successive elections, the Wiper leader’s strong Christian values, and the support Mr. Musyoka has garnered across the country was not an endorsement of Mr. Musyoka as the Azimio presidential candidate in 2027,” said Onyango.
According to the statement, Odinga is confident that Kalonzo Musyoka would outperform Hon. William Ruto in a free and fair presidential contest if they were to compete. This stance contradicts Mr. Ruto’s recent assertion that he would easily defeat the Wiper leader.
“Mr. Odinga further assures Azimio supporters and the country that he plans to remain actively engaged in both party and national politics up to 2027.”
This statement came following Odinga’s comments on Sunday during Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga’s birthday celebration in Bondo, Siaya County, where he accused President Ruto of attempting to divide the coalition by speculating falsely about Kalonzo’s candidacy in 2027. Odinga asserted their support for the Wiper leader.
Responding to Ruto’s recent remarks claiming he would only compete against Kalonzo Musyoka in 2027, Odinga urged the President to cease undermining the Wiper leader.
“He is speaking about Kalonzo Musyoka as if they are equals, he (Musyoka) is far better than him (Ruto). He wants to divide us with talk about who will run for the presidency, yet we ourselves have not announced anything. We will show him he knows nothing; we will stand with Kalonzo because he is an honest person,” he said.
On October 8, President Ruto contended that Mr. Odinga owed him a political debt and should repay it by supporting him in the 2027 General Elections when he seeks re-election.
“I voted for ‘Agwambo’ (Raila Odinga), and he has never voted for me. I will now wait for his vote in the 2027 General Elections because if he’s not running, I will be running alongside Kalonzo Musyoka,” Ruto said during a visit to Homa Bay.
