United Democratic Party leader Cyrus Jirongo has distanced himself from a letter by his secretary-general endorsing Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka to be ODM leader Raila Odinga’s running mate.
This comes just a day after the UDP had written to the seven-member Azimio panel tasked with finding a suitable candidate for the position of running mate in the Azimio la Umoja – OK.
In a statement on Thursday, May 5, Jirongo’s party threw its weight behind the former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka’s candidacy.
“The United Democratic Party hereby proposes and submits the name of Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka as its preferred candidate for the position of Deputy President in the forthcoming 2022 General Elections,” Bernard Wachie Wafukho, UDP secretary-general, wrote to the advisory panel.
However, in a Tweet on Friday, May 6, that was deleted hours later, the UDP party leader Cyrus Jirongo withdrew a letter endorsing Kalonzo Musyoka as Raila Odinga’s running mate.
Jirongo in a statement said the letter purportedly signed by the party’s secretary-general was not approved by all party organs.
Azimio parties had until yesterday to submit names of proposed running mates to the panel.
The panel which comprises religious leaders and seasoned politicians has until Tuesday, May 10 to submit “a name or names”, according to Azimio secretary-general Junet Mohamed.
Despite insisting that he will not appear before the Azimio advisory panel, the former vice president has also received the backing of Kenya’s oldest party KANU.
In a letter to the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition panel, which is scouting for Raila’s running mate, Baringo senator said Kalonzo was best placed to be Raila’s deputy.
“It is our considered opinion and strongly believes that Kalonzo fits the bill and is the most suitable individual to deputize Raila Amolo,” Gideon Moi said of his partner in the defunct One Kenya Alliance.
