Market Yourself! Karua Counters Kalonzo's Presidential Bid

Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua has today urged her Wiper counterpart Kalonzo Musyoka to focus his efforts on marketing himself to the Kenyan electorate.

Karua's remarks come in the wake of an ongoing debate within the Azimio coalition regarding the succession politics should Raila Odinga assume the role of the African Union Commission chairman. Karua's unsolicited advice to Kalonzo Musyoka reads "My unsolicited advice to my brother Kalonzo Musyoka is to focus on marketing himself and leave the decision of who is best to the voters." Her remarks were prompted by a report from Taifa Leo wherein Kalonzo was cited as asserting his status as the prime candidate to assume leadership of the Azimio coalition, should Raila Odinga ascend to the chairmanship of the African Union Commission.

His declaration of being the optimal successor to steward the coalition has been met with a rejoinder from Karua. The political landscape within the Opposition coalition has been marked by a burgeoning rift concerning the prospective flagbearer for the 2027 general elections. This rift has been instigated by the intensifying campaign of Kalonzo Musyoka to position himself as the preeminent candidate to assume the coalition's mantle after Raila Odinga's fifth unsuccessful presidential bid. Musyoka, a veteran politician who has previously served as Odinga's running mate in the 2013 and 2017 elections, has been vocal in his assertion that he is the most suitable individual to lead the coalition.

This stance has sparked speculation regarding the potential implications for Martha Karua, who deputized Odinga in the 2022 presidential race but has recently adopted a more muted presence within the coalition's affairs. Despite these developments, the Azimio coalition has continued to dismiss suggestions of internal divisions. However, Musyoka's actions seem to misrepresent this narrative, as he has embarked on a nationwide tour to strengthen his party's presence and initiate early campaigning ahead of the 2027 elections. In January, Kalonzo declared that should he forego his presidential ambitions, it would effectively mark his retirement from active politics.

"Giving up my presidential ambition (for Raila) will mean I go home. It's as simple as that. Giving up my presidential ambition is not an option. The country is saying so and this time he (William Ruto) better be ready. The country is seeing it, the stars are aligned," he asserted.

This week, Kalonzo visited Kisii County where he opened party offices and spearheaded member recruitment drives, further solidifying his party's presence in the region. These actions have only fueled speculation regarding his presidential aspirations within the Azimio coalition. While Musyoka continues to position himself as the most viable candidate to assume the coalition's leadership, Martha Karua's allies maintain that she remains a formidable contender, setting the stage for what could potentially be a contentious battle for the coalition's nomination.