Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka now wants former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to join the opposition movement, should he lose the African Union Commission chairmanship election.
Speaking in Mombasa on Tuesday, Kalonzo insisted that he wants the both of them to liberate the country from the current administration.
“Raila is going to look for the African Union seat and I’m telling him to go but if things don’t go well, he should come back so that we liberate Kenya,” Kalonzo said.
This comes even as Raila and allies insist that they remain in the opposition but are helping President William Ruto fix the many ongoing issues in the country.
Kalonzo’s remarks come barely two weeks after he called for Raila’s retirement from active politics, should he lose the seat.
Speaking on the Social Newsroom Show with journalist Mark Masai, Kalonzo, however, said that he wishes Raila well in the AUC bid, saying he stands out in that leadership role.
The Wiper leader said that the continent will benefit from Raila’s extensive skills should he clinch the seat.
“I don’t see how Raila Odinga would lose the chairmanship and come back and say he wants to lead Azimio. I would be amazed personally. That would not be the Raila I know. He must also have a reality check, for now, the option is he goes if he wins beautiful for himself, the country and the continent. If he loses, I think he should simply retire,” Kalonzo said.
“I would advise Raila to retire, and join former President Uhuru Kenyatta in that capacity. Retired statesmen.”
Raila will face off with Mahmoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti and Madagascar's Richard Randriamandrato.
The three went head-to-head in a televised TV debate on December 13, 2024, where each used the opportunity to outline their vision of how they would lead the transformation of Africa through the implementation of the AU Mandate and Africa’s Agenda 2063.
The African Union Commission elections for the next chairperson will be conducted on February 15 and 16.
