(North-Eastern page lead story) Kalonzo can be president without Uhuru’s support, says ally

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Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka is not desperate for endorsement and support by former president Uhuru Kenyatta to beat incumbent William Ruto in 2027, a Kalonzo ally has said.

The coordinator of the larger Mwingi professionals and business community, Campbell Munyambu, said all Kalonzo needs is to galvanise support of majority of Kenyans to dethrone Ruto in 2027.

Munyambu spoke to journalists in Mwingi town, Kitui county on Tuesday,

He dismissed media reports which he said portrayed Kalonzo as hopeless, besieged and in dilemma since he had been denied the backing of Uhuru as the former president preferred the candidature of former CS Fred Matiang’i.

“There should be no illusions. Kalonzo only needs the votes of Kenyans to win the presidency. At the same time Uhuru has the constitutional right to back the candidate he wishes,” he said.

Munyambu, however, noted that Uhuru’s support was not a straight pass to the presidency recalling that in 2022 he backed Raila Odinga but he ended up being beaten by Ruto.

“Uhuru was a good president. He performed to his best. However, it does not imply that if he does not back Kalonzo, he will not win. He has the backing of Kenyans,” Munyambu said.

He said it was overt among Kenyans that Kalonzo was the right man to be president come 2027.

“He is the person who can move the country forward. The appearance of Matiang’i in the scene does not changed that equation,” he added.

He said Matiang’i could not match Kalonzo’s popularity.

“Kalonzo knows that he only need to lay well thought out strategies to win the hearts of Kenyans without seeking backing or endorsement from any individual leader,” he added.

He said Kalonzo has what it takes to save the collapsing economy, medical services and education sectors as well as saving Kenyans from the pain of high taxes.

Munyambu also said it would be prudent for the new opposition alliance to support Kalonzo as their presidential candidate.

He further said despite being more experienced in national leadership, the country would be in safe hands as Kalonzo is an honest and selfless patriot.

“He is a man of integrity not tainted by corruption. He has previously served in government and showed the highest degree of honesty and selflessness. He is the right person to be the president,” Munyambu said.

He added that Kalonzo had experience in both sides of the political divide — in government and opposition — and since he knew what ails the country, he can easily find solutions to fix the issues.

“Kalonzo has served both in government and in opposition. He knows the missteps made by those who have been at the helm of the country’s leadership and he can easily find solutions,” Munyambu said.

INSTANT ANALYSIS

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka faces an uphill battle and increasingly complex terrain as he aims to topple President William Ruto in 2027. Former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party is now backing former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i. It had earlier been expected that the Kenyatta family would throw their weight behind Kalonzo, vice president from 2008 to 2013. Apart from the Uhuru factor, Kalonzo is also facing stiff internal competition within the new alliance of opposition heavyweights, which may well slow down his bid.