Kalonzo Softens His Hardline Stance, Says He's Willing To Engage Raila: "He's The Leader Of Azimio"

• Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has shown openness to engaging with Raila Odinga despite previously criticising the deal between Raila and President William Ruto
• Kalonzo emphasised that Raila remains the leader of the Azimio la Umoja coalition until a formal decision is made
• He affirmed that the Azimio coalition is still intact and that he aims to build a strong alliance to challenge Ruto in the 2027 General Election
• The veteran politician expressed confidence that the ruling Kenya Kwanza administration would struggle in an election today

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi - Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka is seemingly having a change of heart about his stance on broad-based government.

The former vice president has been a sharp critic of the presumed deal between ODM leader Raila Odinga and President William Ruto.

Speaking at the Oslo Center Africa Youth Forum on Thursday, August 15, Kalonzo revealed that he was willing to have talks with the former premier.

He stated that Raila remains the opposition outfit's defacto leader until an official decision is made about his position.

"You see, we must continue to engage with Raila Odinga. He is, as we speak, the leader of Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition. There is no way we will not engage with him going forward. So that is expected until we come to a decision on whether to release him to go completely to the AU," the Wiper leader said.

What are Kalonzo's political plans

The Wiper leader insisted that the Azimio coalition is still intact, adding that he was focused on forming a strong alliance to take on Ruto during the 2027 General Election.

Kalonzo stated that it was a normal occurrence for parties to have varying takes on different issues.

He observed the ruling administration's popularity was at its lowest, pointing out that if the country were to have an election, none of them would be left in office.

"When that time comes, we will have to look at that. The idea is to form a formidable coalition that will not only drive Kenya Kwanza home mapema. I am quite sure if there would be an election in this country today there will not be a Kenya Kwanza," he added.

Why Kalonzo differed with Raila

As reported earlier, deep divisions emerged in the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party over the planned national dialogue advocated by Ruto.

The president had called for the national consultative forum to address issues raised by Generation Z (Gen Zs).

After holding respective Parliamentary Group meetings, the Azimio la Umoja constituent parties held a joint meeting to agree on common ground.

However, during the Azimio meeting, the atmosphere was tense as the Wiper leader differed from Raila regarding the push for dialogue.

Kalonzo stormed out of the meeting at one point, leaving the former prime minister with a few leaders at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation.

Proofreading by Otukho Jackson, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke