Former Trade and Industry minister Mukhisa Kituyi has stepped down from the presidential race in favour of Azimio aspirant Raila Odinga.

Mukhisa announced his intentions to support Raila during the Azimio la Umoja rally held in Bungoma on Friday.

He asked the people of Kimilili to allow him to join Raila and his Azimio la Umoja team.

"I have come to request my people of Kimilili to allow me to join Raila's national campaign team," Mukhisa said.

Mukhisa cited stopping Deputy President William Ruto from becoming president as his reason for teaming up with Raila even though he still had ambitions to become president.

"I still have the ambition of being President but I am in talks with Mr Raila to see how we can join forces to stop Ruto from clinching the presidency," Mukhisa said. 

Mukisa told the people of Kimilili that he would like to stay close to Raila to open up his path when the ODM leader becomes president. 

"I would want to be close to him so that if he is elected my path can also be opened," Mukhisa said.

The former United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Secretary-General disclosed they have been on the negotiation table with Raila in the recent past.