Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot has said that none of the 2022 presidential front runners William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga will win in the first round if Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka goes it alone.
On Monday, May 16, the former vice president announced that he will be vying for the country’s top seat in the August 9 presidential race after losing the Azimio la Umoja –One Kenya presidential running mate to Martha Karua.
In a statement on Wednesday, May 25, Cheruiyot, an ardent supporter of Kenya Kwanza presidential flag bearer William Ruto said Kalonzo’s entry into the race is to technically force a presidential run-off as none of the presidential front runners will get the required votes to be announced the winner.
According to Kenyan Constitution 2010, a candidate shall be declared elected as President if he receives more than half of all the votes cast in the election and at least twenty-five percent of the votes cast in each of more than half of the counties.
The senator argued that Kalonzo felt he had been offered little and that by him going it alone, he will deny both Raila and Ruto a win in the first round where he will get a chance to renegotiate with Azimio for a 50 percent national government stake in for prior to the run-off.
“All indications are that if Kalonzo works extra harder, he has the ability to force a Run-Off…Meaning, that post-August 9, he can even demand 50 percent of government from either side. It seems the good son of Tseikuru is not what you all take him for…” Cheruiyot said in a Tweet.
On Monday, May 23, Wiper officials asked Kalonzo Musyoka to consider reuniting with Azimio la Umoja –One Kenya coalition party presidential flag bearer Raila Odinga saying they feel safe in Raila’s hands.
“We want to be part of the new Kenya going forward but we need structured discussions as what is being offered is only in the media. We want Azimio to know that the issue is about Wiper as a party and not Kalonzo as people have made it to be,” Wiper-Kenya party organizing Secretary Robert Mbui said.
