Plot to position Kalonzo, Orengo as Azimio leaders

There are spirited efforts within Azimio to position Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Siaya Governor James Orengo to take over from opposition chief Raila Odinga, the Star has established.

Raila last week announced he is quitting local politics as he concentrates on his Africa Union Commission bid, triggering the succession debate in both Azimio and its largest member party ODM.

The idea, which is gaining traction in opposition circles, is to have Kalonzo against Ruto in 2027, while Orengo takes over as ODM party leader in acting capacity.

After postponing his presidential bid for 15 years, Kalonzo believes he has what it takes to take over from Raila and successfully challenge Ruto's reelection.

Kalonzo, who first ran for President in 2007 on the ODM Kenya ticket, is under pressure from his Ukambani backyard to take the second stab.

Apart from the vast experience of distinguished career as senior state officer, Kalonzo has also developed international networks that are key in his quest.

The region's political leaders have insisted that he must run for the country's job after sacrificing three times for Azimio leader Raila Odinga.

The Wiper leader supported Raila in 2013 and 2017 as running mates. In 2022, he was relegated from the second in command by Narc Kenya boss Martha Karua.

Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangagi insisted that Kalonzo should be on the ballot in 2027, adding that the former Vice President has all what it takes to lead the country.

“Definitely it is his time. This is the best President this country has never had,” Mwangagi said on the phone.

Makueni MP Dan Maanzo told the Star the former Vice President is ripe for the country's top job, insisting that 2027 will be his time.

He, however, insisted that the Wiper boss must go to the people to win support across the country.

Maanzo said there are plans to rebrand Azimio and position it as an alternative following the ‘exit’ of ODM from the opposition coalition.

“Kalonzo has to go to the people himself. He is already vying and we will rebrand the coalition now that ODM has one leg in government and another in Azimio,” he said.

“Right now Kalonzo has been proposed as a presidential candidate by Wiper.”

Behind Kalonzo’s manoeuvres to unseat Ruto are his restive Kamba backyard and a section of Azimio leaders who are opposed to the political deal between Azimio leader Raila Odinga and President Ruto.

Insiders in ODM, where Raila's exit has also triggered a succession debate, argue that the party needs an old hand to steer it through the transition in the absence of Raila.

Former ODM political affairs director Wafula Buke dismissed the capacity of the three deputy party leaders who were chosen.

ODM last month settled on governors Simba Arati (Kisii), Abdulswamad Nassir (Mombasa) and Vihiga senator Geoffrey Osotsi for the positions.

"We would think people like Orengo should succeed him (Raila). Orengo would be a more respected choice. He has the knowledge and experience," Buke said.

But Osotsi dismissed Raila's replacement as a non-issue, saying Raila will continue steering the party.

"I see ODM remaining strong even if Baba exits to AU. Those people expecting to reap from an impossible ODM collapse are dreaming," he said.

Raila has led the Orange party for 19 years, while he has been the sole boss of the Azimio coalition since its formation in 2022.

Kalonzo’s peers in the opposition coalition also appeared to be ready to support the former Vice President to take Ruto head-on in 2027.

This is buoyed by Raila’s declaration he will be taking a backseat in local politics, which he has dominated for decades.

Azimio leaders Eugene Wamalwa (DAP-K), Peter Munya (PNU) and Jeremiah Kioni (Ndaragwa) have all signalled they are rallying behind Kalonzo in the battle against Ruto.

Wamalwa and Kioni declared their support while speaking in Embu last week.

Kioni said they will not fall for the temptation to join the Kenya Kwanza administration, adding that those around Kalonzo will stand up to be counted.

“We shall remain with those who are crying that the country is headed in the wrong direction. It is not in doubt where we are going because the leader of Azimio is with us here and it is Kalonzo Musyoka,” he said.

Kalonzo has also gone flat out to keep the Azimio ship intact following the mixed signals coming from ODM on their commitment to the opposition.

Last week, Kalonzo led a team of Azimio leaders to Narc Kenya Martha Karua’s rural home in Kimunye, Kirinyaga in what is believed to be part of a strategy to consolidate the opposition team.

Karua had last month announced cutting links with Azimio, a coalition that had her as running mate in the last elections.

Behind the scenes, Kalonzo is quietly assembling a campaign arsenal in readiness for 2027.

At the SKM Centre, Kalonzo has hired advisers and established his own command centre that will be running his programmes in the lead-up to the 2027 polls.

He has tapped some of the technocrats who worked for the Azimio presidential campaigns as part of his strategy to rebrand himself.