Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has finally parted ways with ODM leader Raila Odinga’s Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya ahead of the August 9, General Election.
The former vice president ditched the coalition after it settled on Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua to be Raila’s running mate, a position he was also eyeing.
Addressing journalists on Monday, May 16, the Wiper leader said that he will now be vying for the presidency as an independent candidate.
“I ended my relationship with Azimio flag bearer Raila Odinga. I respect Raila Odinga and I wish him and his running mate Martha Karua well,” Kalonzo said.
He further named Andrew Leteipa Sunkuli as his presidential running mate in the August 9, State House race.
“I am pleased to introduce Andrew Leteipa Sunkuli as my Deputy presidential candidate,” Kalonzo announced.
Kalonzo, who has been codenamed Watermelon for his unstable stance, had threatened to quit Azimio-One Kenya coalition party if he is not picked as Raila’s number two.
This is not the first time Kalonzo has dumped Raila. In the build-up to the 2007 presidential election, Kalonzo pulled out of ODM to vie for the presidency on an ODM-K ticket costing Raila the presidency.
However, after emerging third in highly disputed results, the Wiper leader then joined Kibaki and was awarded the vice-president slot, a move that brought to an end the then ongoing post-election Violence.
Kalonzo who shelved his presidential ambitions in 2013 and 2017 had in March announced that he will support Raila’s State House bid for a third time.
“In Jacaranda I declared to support Odinga for a third. But since then a lot of things have happened,” Kalonzo said.
It is believed that Kalonzo might have agreed with Raila to go it alone so that they can deny Deputy President William Ruto a win in round one.
Raila and Kalonzo are expected to work together in round two if none will have won in the first round.
