Raila says reports on endorsing Kalonzo's 2027 presidential bid misleading

Odinga's spokesperson Dennis Onyango stated on Monday that the praise for Kalonzo should not be interpreted as the party's position on its 2027 political ambitions, given that the elections are four years away.

"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 built across the country was not an endorsement of Mr. Musyoka as the Azimio presidential candidate in 2027," read part of the statement. 

"Rather, the praise was an acknowledgment and appreciation of past deeds that are in public domain."

Raila said the coalition believes in giving all aspiring presidential candidates an equal chance and that the coalition will only be announced a year or so before the 2027 elections.

According to the statement, Odinga is confident that President William Ruto will have no chance against Kalonzo if they contest the election.

"Mr. Odinga however believes that Mr. Musyoka has what it takes to beat Hon. William Ruto in a free and fair presidential contest, contrary to Mr. Ruto's recent claim that he would easily beat the Wiper leader," Onyango said.

"Mr. Odinga further assures Azimio supporters and the country that he plans to remain very active in party and national politics all the way to 2027. 

The latter comes after Odinga, on Sunday, during Siaya senator Oburu Oginga’s birthday celebration in Bondo, Siaya County, accused President Ruto of trying to divide the coalition by falsely speculating on Kalonzo's candidacy in 2027, asserting that they will stand with the Wiper leader.

He was responding to Ruto's recent remarks that he will only be running against Mr Musyoka in 2027, telling the president to stop dismissing 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 claimed that Mr. Odinga owes him a political debt and should pay it by voting for him in 2027 when he will be seeking 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.