Kalonzo Drops Presidential Bid, To Back Raila for Top Seat

Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has dropped his presidential bid.

The former vice President on Saturday signed signed the coalition agreement committing to work with Azimio la Umoja.

His party and 26 others committed to work with the Raila Odinga-led movement ahead of the August polls.

President Uhuru Kenyatta who was also in attendance in his capacity as the Jubilee party leader commended Kalonzo for shelving his ambitions in favour of Raila.

Read: Kalonzo Willing to Work with Raila If He Honours 2017 Pact

“I thank Kalonzo Musyoka for the courage and commitment to forgo his desire and walk with us. I am humbled by his selflessness,” said the head of state.

He also stated that today marked the start of a journey that will culminate with Raila being elected the 5th President of the Country.

“I thank all the party leaders who are here and who have sacrificed their desires to walk together with Raila. A majority here have the ability to lead the Country but they have forgone their ambitions so that we can walk together,” he said.

The outgoing president called on Raila not to forget those who walked with him should he form the next government.

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“Raila has the ability to lead this Country. I hope he will not leave or forget his brothers and sisters behind once he ascends to power. We must see representation of all those who are here in his Government,” continued Uhuru.

The ODM leader on his part thanked the president and Azimio delegates for their endorsement as he promised to deliver on his promises.

“Nobody ever imagined that parties and individuals that fought on opposite sides in 2013 and 2017 would unite. I thank my friend and brother President Uhuru for this most unlikely journey that we started 4 yrs ago and which has changed the history and politics of this country,” said the former prime minister.

Raila highlighted various sectors he will prioritize if elected President among them unemployment among the youth, the war on Corruption, infrastructure development among others.

Read Also: Governor Kiraitu’s Bus Party Rules Out Merger with Azimio

He said the president had put Kenya at the center of global recognition and urged Kenyans to remain united and to continue on the same trajectory.

He pledged to raise allocation to counties to 35 percent if elected while giving more emphasis to education and health sectors in the Country.