NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 27 — Nairobi’s Kileleswa ward representative Robert Alai has stirred a storm in the opposition Azimio Coalition after claiming ODM leader Raila Odinga’s supporter would back President William Ruto’s reelection in 2027.
Alai, a member of the ODM, said supporters of the opposition party would pick Ruto over Wiper Party’s Kalonzo Musyoka who has been banking on Odinga’s support having backed his presidential ambitions thrice.
“If Baba is not in the race in 2027 and given between Kalonzo and Ruto, ODM supporters would easily go for Ruto. ODM supporters would trust Ruto over Kalonzo ANY DAY,” Alai said in a comment on Tuesday.
He said President Ruto, leader of the UDA party, has a better chance of winning over ODM supporters than Kalonzo who has been Odinga’s running mate in two elections in 2013 and 2017.
Alai made the comment hours after Odinga announced he had secured President Ruto’s assurance to present him as Kenya’s candidate for the African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson slot.
He said the move (ODM’s support for Ruto) would anger former President Uhuru Kenyatta, who backed Odinga’s presidential bid in 2022, and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
“I know that Rigathi Gachagua and Uhuru hate this more than anyone else but that’s the truth,” Alai argued.
Odinga announced Ruto’s backing late Monday, saying Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni also promised to back his bid following a meeting at his rural home in Kisozi.