Raila Tosha, Kalonzo Declares as He Drops Presidential Bid

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has endorsed ODM leader Raila Odinga’s presidential bid in the August 9th elections.

Musyoka, who had previously vowed to go all the way to the ballot, pledged to popularize Odinga’s candidature across the country ahead of the forthcoming elections.

Speaking at Jacaranda grounds in Nairobi on Saturday, Musyoka said he considered the age factor between him and Odinga before deciding to shelve his presidential ambitions.

Musyoka, 68, further stated that Odinga, 77, stands a better chance at clinching the presidency, adding that the two have come a long way in the political arena.  

“I am saying today Raila Tosha roho safi,” Kalonzo told a rally at the Jacaranda grounds.

He added: “I believe Odinga will not fail us and the ticket we have given him. I was honestly thinking Raila will say Kalonzo tosha this time round. But with a clean heart, I am here to say Raila Tosha for the third time.”

Kalonzo’s Wiper was among 21 parties that earlier signed a coalition agreement under the Azimio La Umoja coalition at Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC). At least 300 delegates drawn from various political parties endorsed Odinga as the Azimio La Umoja presidential flagbearer in the upcoming elections.

Speaking at the Azimio National Delegates Conference (NDC), President Kenyatta thanked Musyoka and other leaders who dropped their bids to support Odinga.

"I want to insist that among all these leaders, none of them doesn't have the capacity to become President, they all do and most of them have abandoned their ambitions for the greater good and unity of the country and more so Kalonzo Musyoka who has withdrawn his ambitions. We thank him and we congratulate him," said Uhuru.