Mixed reactions as Murathe endorses Raila for 2027 polls

 

Jubilee Vice Chairman David Murathe has caused a storm in the opposition outfit by suggesting that ODM leader Raila Odinga should vie for the Presidency in the 2027 polls.

Murathe a rubble-rouser within political circles on Sunday, hinted that the former premier is still energetic enough to make another stab at the presidency having done so four times and failed.

“Raila will be the 2027 Presidential flag bearer. Those holding contrary opinions should pose or hold their horses. If Malawi people picked a President at 90, so what’s strange with Raila’s case,” posed Murathe during Raila’s 79th Birthday celebrations in Kilifi county.

His suggestion comes after Wiper boss Kalonzo Musyoka declared that he will be on the ballot in 2027 and will not support Raila’s presidential ambition again.

Kalonzo’s close ally and Kitui senator Enock Wambua told off Murathe saying that his advice or opinion was unsolicited.

Objectively weighed

“In his journey to State House, Kalonzo will receive a lot of advice and opinion from many people, some solicited and some unsolicited. Every opinion and advice given shall be objectively weighed and, where necessary, feedback will be given. Murathe’s advice or opinion was unsolicited. It has been processed and dismissed,” said Wambua.

Instead, Wambua reminded Murathe that the political parties forming the Azimio-OKA coalition should swing into action and make bold strides towards forming the next government through Kalonzo to save Kenyans from what he termed as “the clueless, inept and incompetent Kenya Kwanza administration.”

“We shall demonstrate, in word and indeed, to our leader, to our coalition and indeed the entire country that Kalonzo is the right leader to take over and fix the mess deliberately created by the failed Kenya Kwanza administration and save this country,” said Wambua.

Makueni lawmaker Dan Maanzo while dismissing Murathe backed Kalonzo for the top seat in the 2027 presidential elections, adding that the Wiper leader is the most acceptable candidate to face off with President Ruto and not Raila.

According to Maanzo, they have tried the former Prime Minister thrice but failed, adding that even if they still support Raila, Central Kenya will still reject him.

“You cannot do the same thing over and over again and expect different results. We have tried Raila three times and in all those elections, Central Kenya rejected him. They will still reject him. The only person accepted across the whole country is Kalonzo Musyoka,” said Maanzo.

Although some of his lieutenants feel that the five-time presidential candidate is still as fit as a fiddle, some are categorical that he has been tried and tested and he has never succeeded in being the president.

Yet another time

Raila’s ally and Suba North lawmaker Millie Odhiambo argued that Raila is still young and nothing can hold back his ambition if he decides to vie for the sixth time. “Baba Raila is still young and nothing can hold back his ambitions. We will rethink new options,” she stated.

Former Agriculture Cabinet Minister Kipruto Arap Kirwa averred that despite Raila’s age, there is still hope for the presidency come 2027.

“You do not need to be so energetic, you just need to be present and be in tune with the wishes of the people,” opined Kirwa.

Political analyst Javas Bigambo said that beyond the fact that Raila reserves his constitutional right to run for political office, the former premier is possibly likely to keep people guessing whether he will want to make another stab at the presidency.

 ByKepher Otieno