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Leaders allied to former president Uhuru Kenyatta have now declared Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya supremo Raila Odinga as their preferred candidate for the 2027 elections.

The leaders led by Jubilee Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni maintained that Raila was the right person to represent the coalition during the polls.

Kioni was also quick to point out that other coalition members such as former devolution Cabinet Secretary (CS) Eugene Wamalwa announcing their bid for the seat does not negate the fact that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader is their preferred candidate.

“Certainly, there would be more people announcing their plans to run in 2027. The fact that Mr Wamalwa and others want to run does not take away the fact that Raila remains our preferred presidential candidate,” the former Ndaragwa Member of Parliament (MP)stated.

Jubilee vice-chairman David Murathe further echoed Kioni’s remarks reiterating that their preferred candidate for presidency is Raila unless he backs out of the race.

“For now, a lot will depend on the party leader, Raila. I can tell you, if he decides to run again, some of us will support somebody else, we will all follow. He is the leader. So, we’ll be looking up to him to provide the leadership and the guidance in terms of the next dispensation,” Murathe stated.

Kioni’s threats to Azimio

Earlier in November, Kioni had stated that the jubilee party was free to cut ties with Raila since his political debt was fully settled during the August polls.

At the time, the former legislator stated that they had played their part by delivering the agreed number of votes to Raila during the August 9th elections.

“The debt Raila wanted to be paid has been paid. For the first time, Raila got the highest number of votes in Mt. Kenya which he has never gotten and it’s now time to move on,” Kioni said.

He added: “When push comes to a shove, communities quickly run and rally together. What seems to prevail is loyalty to the community. the Writing is on the wall. It does not matter whether you are in UDA or whether you are in Kenya Kwanza,”