“I’m prepared to campaign for Raila Odinga… Raila Tosha,” he declared.
•The Wiper party’s leader announced a U-turn and said he would back Raila’s bid for a third time.
•President Uhuru Kenyatta expressed gratitude to Kalonzo for abandoning his presidential ambitions and agreeing to support Raila’s candidacy.
Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has officially endorsed Raila Odinga’s presidential bid, expressing confidence in the former prime minister’s ability to lead the country.
Speaking at the Azimio la Umoja rally at Jacaranda Grounds on Saturday, the Wiper party boss said he had changed his mind and would support Raila’s candidacy for the third time because Raila had promised to fight corruption in the country.
“I expected Raila to endorse me for president this time, but I will support him out of kindness. Tosha Raila, “He stated.
“I’m ready to campaign for Raila Odinga all over Kenya,” he said.
He recounted his journey with Raila, claiming that the two had progressed from the LDP to the ODM Kenya, Narc, CORD, NASA, and now the Azimio la Umoja Movement.
He made the remarks after the One Kenya Alliance (OKA) resolved to sign the coalition agreement with Jubilee, ODM, and other parties at the KICC in Nairobi, where the former prime minister was endorsed as the Azimio la Umoja presidential candidate during the outfit’s National Delegates Convention.
President Uhuru Kenyatta thanked Kalonzo for abandoning his presidential ambitions and agreeing to support Raila’s candidacy during the event.
The President reiterated that only Raila was capable of uniting the country and combating corruption, which had hampered the country’s development.
“We’ve come to introduce our team captain. We are certain that we have a team leader. Raila Odinga is our team leader’s name “Uhuru stated.
“We’ve come to introduce our team captain. We are certain that we have a team leader. Raila Odinga is our team leader’s name “Uhuru stated.
Because of the Ukambani numbers, Uhuru and Raila wanted Kalonzo on their side. His appearances at the KICC and Jacaranda Grounds provided the two with the necessary head start in order to keep Deputy President William Ruto out of Ukambani.
Raila is counting on Kalonzo’s support to bolster his campaign machinery ahead of the showdown with Ruto, who is also putting up a force to oppose him.
Raila’s coronation as Azimio la Umoja’s presidential candidate had previously been postponed after Wiper boss Kalonzo Musyoka allegedly issued new demands before joining the formation.
The event was supposed to begin at 9 a.m., but five hours later, nothing had happened.
Sources said the Wiper leader had insisted on a running mate position for him to join the formation.
This position, however, has been reserved for the Mt Kenya region.
