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By:
Brian Oruta | |||||||||
| Posted:
Mar,12-2022 12:09:32
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| Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has dropped his presidential bid in favour of ODM leader Raila Odinga. Speaking on Saturday at KICC, President Uhuru Kenyatta said Kalonzo had put aside his ambitions and will now support Raila. "There are those who are more abled like Kalonzo. But he has put his ambitions aside. Let us all clap for him. We thank him," he said. Uhuru also exhumed confidence in the former Prime Minister's ability to develop the country and fight corruption. "I have no doubt that he has the ability and God will help him in ensuring our country develops and moves forward in unity and fighting corruption." Uhuru said he was confident that Raila will not forget other leaders once he becomes president. "We will hear of Kalonzo Musyoka, Gideon (Moi), Ngilu (Charity) and other leaders. We will hear representation of all who are here because that is the only way to succeed," he said. ODM leader who also spoke at KICC admitted that they had unresolved issues with Kalonzo, but that was now a thing of the past. He added that they have decided to work together, ahead of the August 9 polls. "Kalonzo and I had some problems but we have discussed and shook hands. We have decided we will walk together." He also insisted that he is not anybody's project, as widely claimed by his opponents. "I am not Uhuru's project and he is not my project," Raila said. Earlier, the coronation of ODM leader Raila Odinga as the presidential candidate of Azimio la Umoja was delayed after Wiper boss Kalonzo Musyoka allegedly issued fresh demands before joining the formation. The event was scheduled to start at 9 am but five hours later, nothing had commenced. 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. Kalonzo: Why I decided to support Raila for a third time Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has officially backed Raila Odinga's presidential bid and expressed confidence that the former prime minister was capable of leading the country. Speaking during the Azimio la Umoja rally at Jacaranda Grounds on Saturday, the Wiper party boss said he had made a U-turn and would support Raila's bid for the third time because Raila had pledged to fight corruption in the country. "I thought Raila will endorse me for the presidency this time around but out of a good heart, I will support him. Raila Tosha," he said. "I'm ready to campaign for Raila Odinga across the country," he said. He narrated his journey with Raila, saying the two had moved from LDP to ODM Kenya, Narc, CORD, NASA, and now they were together in Azimio la Umoja Movement. He said this after One Kenya Alliance (OKA) resolved to sign the coalition pact with Jubilee, ODM and other parties at KICC in Nairobi where the former prime minister was endorsed as the Azimio la Umoja presidential candidate during the outfit's National Delegates Convention. During the event, President Uhuru Kenyatta thanked Kalonzo for shelving his presidential ambitions and agreeing to support Raila's candidature. The Head of State reiterated that only Raila was capable of uniting the country and fighting corruption that had impacted the country's development. "We are here to announce our team captain. We have no doubt we have a team leader. We have a team leader in the name Raila Odinga," Uhuru said. Uhuru and Raila had wanted Kalonzo on their side owing to Ukambani numbers. His appearance at KICC and Jacaranda Grounds gave the two the head start they needed to lock Deputy President William Ruto out of Ukambani. Raila is banking on Kalonzo’s support to bolster his campaign machinery for the face-off with Ruto who is equally putting up a force to counter his competition. Earlier, the coronation of Raila as the presidential candidate of Azimio la Umoja was delayed after Wiper boss Kalonzo Musyoka allegedly issued fresh demands before joining the formation. The event was scheduled to start at 9 am but five hours later, nothing had commenced. 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. | |||||||||
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Source:
The Star
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