Embakasi East member of parliament (MP) Babu Owino has claimed that Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka is best suited to take over from Raila Odinga as Azimio leader and presidential candidate in the 2027 elections.
Speaking during an interview with Radio 47 on Thursday March 7, 2024 Babu Owino disclosed that Kalonzo should take over the Azimio leadership if Raila Odinga retires from active politics.
Babu Owino confirmed that if Raila endorses Kalonzo as presidential candidate in the 2027 presidential elections, then ODM will fully support his candidature.
“If Baba(Raila) endorses Kalonzo in 2027, we have no problem as Azimio because he (Kalonzo) has been with us,” said Babu Owino.
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The Embakasi East MP added that Kalonzo has been loyal to Raila Odinga since the 2013 presidential elections, the 2017 elections as well as accepting to be Raila’s running mate for a third time in the August 2022 presidential elections.
“Kalonzo has worked with us and he has the capacity to lead the Azimio coalition if Raila succeeds in his bid of becoming the next AU commission chairperson.
“The Wiper leader deserves the respect, for what he has done for the Azimio coalition and his overall contribution in Kenyan politics,” said Babu Owino.
However, his sentiments contradicts that of Kileleshwa Member of County Assembly (MCA) Robert Alai who had maintained that Raila’s supporters will support President William Ruto’s re-election bid in 2027.
According to Alai, there are very high chances of Raila’s supporters voting for Ruto instead of Kalonzo if Raila fails to contest in the 2027 presidential elections.
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“Let me tell you with a lot of certainty. If Raila Odinga is not in the presidential race in 2027 and given between Kalonzo and Ruto, ODM supporters would easily go for Ruto. ODM supporters would trust Ruto over Kalonzo any day,” Alai posted on X.
Alai made the remarks a day after Azimio leader Raila and President Ruto held a meeting with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni in Uganda on February 26, 2024.
The Raila succession debate emerged after Raila declared interest in becoming the next AU commission chairperson.
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Raila is seeking to take over from Moussa Faki whose term as AUC chairperson ends in February 2025.
Meanwhile, President Ruto on March 5, 2024 disclosed that East African Heads of State have unanimously agreed to support Raila Odinga’s bid for the AU Commission top job.
Speaking while officially opening the East African Legislative Assembly sitting at parliament in Nairobi, President Ruto noted that the move was aimed at ensuring Raila wins in the race to become the next AU Commission chairperson.
“As you are all aware that the chairmanship of the AU is coming up next year as the term for the current chair Moussa Faki comes to an end. It is going to be the turn for East Africa to provide the next chair,” President Ruto stated.
