Kalonzo Formally Withdraws from Presidential Race After Rejoining Azimio

A day after he announced his return to the Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya coalition, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has formally withdrawn from the August 9th presidential race.

Wiper Democratic Movement Party on Friday said that Musyoka, who was scheduled to present his documents to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on June 4th, will no longer be doing so.

“We write to inform you that STEPHEN KALONZO MUSYOKA of ID number 8932417 has withdrawn his candidature as the Wiper Democratic Movement Presidential nominee. By the strength of this letter, we notify your office that he will not be presenting his presidential nomination papers at 2 pm on the 4th June 2022 as earlier scheduled,” Wiper Chairperson Agatha Solitei said in a letter to IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati.

On Thursday, Musyoka declared his support for the Azimio La Umoja–One Kenya Coalition presidential flagbearer Raila Odinga and his running mate Martha Karua.

 Musyoka, who quit the coalition two weeks ago after missing out on the running mate slot, said he made the decision after extensive consultations with Wiper party officials, religious leaders, and professionals.

"As a people, our true measure lies in our ability to discern when the nation is bigger than an individual. Therefore, after deep introspection, I have today deferred my dreams to run for the president of the Republic of Kenya in the forthcoming general elections," Musyoka said.

He also announced that he has accepted the Chief Minister position offered to him by Odinga while unveiling his running mate on May 16th.

“I have decided to accept with humility and appreciation my nomination as Chief Minister in the Azimio-One Kenya coalition. It's not if we will win, but when we form the next government. I commit myself to the Azimio one Kenya campaign because our objective is winning,” Musyoka added.