Kalonzo and Karua Redouble Efforts to Emerge as Raila’s Successor

Azimio co-principals Kalonzo Musyoka and Martha Karua are positioning themselves as potential successors to their party leader Raila Odinga.

Their strategies, though divergent, aim to capitalize on the prevailing circumstances and garner support from Odinga’s base. Musyoka has taken a proactive approach, embarking on a series of campaigns and outreach efforts across various counties. His visits to Kisii, Nyamira, and Migori in the Nyanza region on March 20 were marked by the inauguration of the Wiper Democratic Movement office in Kehancha and a rally in Migori town.

During these events, Musyoka pledged to advocate for the creation of Kuria County, a promise that resonated with the Kuria community which has long felt marginalized. Accompanied by allies such as Irene Kasalu, Ben Momanyi, Enoch Wambua, and Agnes Muthama, Musyoka sought to assure the public that the Opposition would remain steadfast in holding the government accountable despite Odinga’s potential departure for the African Union Commission chairmanship.

His outreach extended to the Mt Kenya region where he met with the Kikuyu Council of Elders and Muranga politicians, exploring the possibility of the Akamba community rejoining the Gikuyu Embu Meru Association (Gema). On March 27, Musyoka visited Kiambu County, addressing worshippers at the Anointed Christian Fellowship and criticizing the Kenya Kwanza administration for the escalating cost of living. In his bid to succeed Odinga, Musyoka has forged alliances with Eugene Wamalwa of the Democratic Action Party-Kenya (DAP-K) and George Wajackoyah of the Roots party.

Meanwhile, Martha Karua appears to be adopting a more gradual approach, hinting at her strategies during a recent interview on a YouTube channel. Her comments suggesting that Kenyans should utilize their remaining powers seemed to imply a plan to rally dissatisfied citizens against the current government through protests. Karua, in collaboration with Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, has returned to her home region of Mt Kenya to strengthen her support base.

Together, they have successfully convinced 13 small political parties to form an alliance with Jubilee and Narc Kenya. This alliance plans to convene a political conference, Limuru III, next month to discuss the current political situation, particularly the controversial handshake between Odinga and Ruto, and evaluate the feasibility of remaining within the Azimio coalition. Kioni emphasizes that their decision to hold the Limuru meeting was driven by the desire to assess the recent developments within the Azimio coalition and chart the best economic and political path for the Mt Kenya region.

While acknowledging Odinga’s potential candidacy for the AUC chairmanship as a personal and family matter, Kioni stated that they would strategize accordingly to address any issues that may arise during Odinga’s potential absence.