Martha Karua Hits Out at Kalonzo as Race For 2027 Heats up

The debate on who would garner more votes to unseat President William Ruto has continued to escalate in Azimio la Umoja.

Those eyeing the party ticket include Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Narc Kenya counterpart Martha Karua.

With Raila Odinga expected to exit the scene to focus on the African Union Commission job, the two are embroiled in a tussle on who would make a suitable candidate.

Karua, who was Raila's running mate in the 2022 General Election, has hit out at the Wiper leader asking him to employ a new tactic.

In a statement, Karua has asked Kalonzo to focus on marketing himself as the right candidate instead of dragging her into every political discourse.

"My unsolicited advice to my brother Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka is to focus on marketing himself and leave the decision of who is best to the voters," she stated.

Karua was forced to respond after media reports indicated that Kalonzo had boldly declared that he was the right candidate and had what it takes to unseat Ruto in 2027.

The contest between the two and other Azimio leaders has caused a perceived rift in the party. 

On February 28, Former Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu confronted Raila and asked him to put the Azimio house in order before leaving for the AUC job.

"Baba, how have you arranged? How have you planned? I have been told to avoid politics here, but I don't think I can avoid it, and I know many of you will not ask. I have been with Baba for all my years in politics, so I will ask him. He should explain to us,” said Ngilu.

She added, “When a child leaves their mother or when a father leaves a child, they must plan for them. So, I want to ask you, Baba, organize us well. You organized us in 2002; you must do it again so that we know how to take this country forward."

In response, Raila noted that he would not leave the house in shambles but vowed to support leaders in the party if elected the next AUC chairperson.

“I am not going away Addis Ababa is only two hours away from Nairobi, I am available and whenever I am called, I will answer. I am ready to work with you people but what is important is that we must ensure what we set out to do is eventually achieved and accomplished,” said Raila.