Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition presidential candidate Raila Odinga has received a major boost after Wiper Leader shelved his presidential bid in his favor in the August poll.

In a presser on Thursday, Kalonzo announced that he had opted to defer his State House bid and support the Raila Odinga-Martha Karua ticket in a move that gives Azimio a major push.

“I have deferred my dream to vie for the seat of the president of Kenya,” Kalonzo announced.

The former Vice President has also accepted an offer by Raila nominating him for the position of Chief Cabinet Secretary if Azimio La Umoja forms the next administration.

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“After wide consultation with party leadership, the clergy and the professionals, I have decided to accept with humility and appreciation my nomination as the Chief Minister in the Azimio One Kenya Coalition when we form the next government,” Kalonzo added.

Kalonzo, who has been criticized before for not campaigning for the Azimio candidate, undertook to take part fully in the presidential campaigns ahead of the August election.


“Beginning today, I commit myself to Azimio-OKA campaigns because we are in this race to win; we have no option,”

He further lauded Karua on her nomination as Raila’s running mate and potentially the first female Deputy President in Kenya and guaranteed her of his full backing going forward.

“I also wish to congratulate my learned sister, the Honorable Martha Karua, Senior Counsel, on the nomination as the Deputy President Nominee for the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party. And I want to assure Martha of my full and unequivocal support and that ticket with Raila Odinga,” he intimated.


The Wiper boss on May 16 bolted from the coalition, which has the blessings of President Uhuru Kenyatta, making real his threat to exit after Karua was nominated the running mate.