The Opposition coalition Azimio la Umoja has over the past few weeks been engaged in an ongoing succession battle from within.
This is despite its leader Raila Odinga publicly saying that he is not ready to retire from the political space.
Most people believe that his 2022 presidential bid (his fifth stab) was the last and other Azimio principals have been making known their ambitions as they expect to receive the backing of Raila.
One leader who has been vocal about this is Kalonzo Musyoka, the Wiper party leader who has gone ahead to say that age is not on his side and that he has every intention to go all the way to the ballot.
Others who seek to succeed Raila include DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa, former CS Peter Munya (PNU), and Martha Karua (Narc Kenya), among others.
On Tuesday, Kalonzo received backing by a man known to be a confidant of the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Prof Makau Mutua in a statement said Kalonzo is the best man for the job and the rest should just forget.
“Wakwitu Kalonzo Musyoka stands the best chance. Wengine sahau!” Makau who is Azimio spokesman said on X.
Azimio is working on forming a formidable team that will face off with President William Ruto in the 2027 election.
This comes even as the former Prime Minister has continued to send confounding signals about his ties with the bigwigs with whom he formed Azimio.
Over the weekend, Raila said he has no problem endorsing Kalonzo for the presidency in 2027.
Speaking at a burial service in Kitui, Raila called for patience saying that he is still in the active political arena.
“What is the problem if Kalonzo is the candidate? I did not say Kalonzo cannot be a candidate. I just said we came from far away with Kalonzo, he supported me and I can also support him. I did not say I have quit politics. When I quit, I will come out and say it,” Raila said.
The Azimio boss said they will come out and support one candidate when the right time comes to choose the flagbearer.
However, several leaders especially from Raila’s party the Orange Democratic Movement believe he is the best man for the job. They insist that still has the energy and is the man to beat Ruto in 2027.
Over the weekend, over 10 legislators claimed that some of their colleagues from other political parties have devised a method of pushing Raila to abandon the 2027 presidential bid and instead support their bid.
Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga who is Raila’s elder brother said the push is normally done when the ODM leader attends functions in Wiper Democratic Party perceived strongholds.
“Let our bothers stop blackmailing and pressurizing Raila to support their bid when he (Raila) visits them. Raila is still strong and can still contest the presidency seat in 2027,” Oburu said.
The others include Moses Kajwang (Homa Bay) and Edwin Sifuna (Nairobi), and MPs Opiyo Wandayi (Ugunja), Peter Kaluma (Homa Bay Town), and his Kisumu Central Joshua Oron argued that there is a scheme to arm-twist Raila to back another person in the next race.
