Times Kalonzo vowed not to support Raila
From an aspiring lawyer to occupying the vice-president’s office, Kalonzo Musyoka’s political journey has been successful in most rights.
The Wiper Party leader has served in active politics for the better part of three decades.
During that while, he has contested as a running mate for presidential candidate Raila Odinga in three elections.
In between, Kalonzo has appeared to rule out backing Mr Odinga, only to somehow change his mind.
Will he keep his word this time round? Here’s the history.
December 30, 2023
In a recent interview with the Nation, Mr Musyoka, who’s also served as Foreign Affairs Minister in his chequered career, emphasised on December 24, 2023, that he will not back ‘anyone else’ for the presidency in the 2027 presidential elections.
Mr Musyoka, 70, argued that backing Mr Odinga would mean an end of his political career considering his advanced age.
“Giving up my presidential ambition would actually mean I go home. It is as simple as that. That means that is not an option. What it means is that giving up my presidential ambition is not an option. That is basically what I am telling you,” he said.
16th June 2021
In an interview with NTV, Mr Musyoka said he would not be supporting Mr Odinga for the presidency in the 2022 presidential elections.
Speaking without mincing words, Kalonzo said that he would be ‘the most stupid person on earth’ to endorse Mr Odinga for the third consecutive time.
“For me, as of now, it is unthinkable that I, Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, would support Raila Odinga for the third time…. I would be the most stupid fellow on earth to go and support — for the third time — a presidential candidate without a measure of reciprocity,” he said.
Kalonzo had served as Odinga’s running mate in the 2013 and 2017 elections though in both their joint efforts fell short of securing the highest office in the country.
But he changed his mind a few days later, and unsuccessfully backed the Odinga-Karua ticket for the presidency.
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