Kalonzo to run for president in 2027, says supporting Raila again not an option

Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has hinted at seeking the presidential seat in the 2027 General Election, saying it would not be an option for him to shelve his ambitions for any other candidate again.

Kalonzo expressed optimism that he would be backed by his Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party co-principals in the race to State House, further indicating that missing out on the ballot would mean his retirement from politics.

Despite remaining coy about whether the coalition leader Raila Odinga would step down and back his candidacy, Kalonzo reiterated his readiness to be on the ballot citing previous polls where he supported the former premier's candidacy.

“If I was ready in 2002, 2013 why do you think I will not be ready in 2027? The right time has come for this country to recognize a leader they have always rejected. I have played the team…I have selflessly supported others. If the country is ready for it, I will go for it,” he said in an interview with NTV.

“Giving up my presidential ambitions will actually mean I go home. We are at the tail-end of a process which should deliver this country. Azimio will give (President William) Ruto a strong candidate this time round.”

Kalonzo went on to assert that all political indicators are pointing to him running for the country’s top seat, citing an occasion when even President Ruto invoked his name as a potential competitor in 2027.

He further gave hints to his candidature by recalling his past utterances where he likened his 2027 bid to President Ruto’s early campaigns during the previous government.

“At this time, the stars are aligned and the whole country is saying it. You may not be shocked when Ruto who calls me his bigger brother says he will support me,” he stated.

“I believe in consultations and I said it publicly that mapema ndio best, even during the campaigns I said that if there is one thing I learnt from William Ruto is that from 2013 after they took over from Jubilee, he set his eyes on 2022 and started campaigning...poor Uhuru Kenyatta could not handle him.”

He however pointed out that the Azimio faction is still in consultations with the public and will very soon reveal its candidate.

On whether he may be forced to support Odinga who has similarly hinted at a sixth stab for the presidency, Kalonzo underscored that the coalition was still united saying: “Raila is a very astute leader, I know Raila Odinga, he knows me. We will go the same way. We will go the same route with Raila Odinga unless some devil intervenes, you never know. This relationship is really tested.”

He at the same time urged die-hard Odinga supporters to rally behind his bid for the common purpose of clinching the presidency if he happens to be the preferred candidate.

“Kalonzo cannot win alone. Some people depend on my candidature to win their constituency, Senatorial and MCA seats. But I proved to the people (in 2022) that you do not need to be on the ballot to get people winning,” he said.

“I want to tell the people who always cling to Raila, that he must be on the ballot so that they can win their seats, which they can win without him being on the ballot.”