Former Unctad boss Kituyi drops his presidential bid in favour of Raila
Former Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi has opted to shelve his presidential ambition in favour of Raila Odinga, leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
The decision to heed ground comes just weeks after he announced that he will run in the August 9 elections. Kituyi was in the process of forming a coalition with Labour Party of Kenya, Party of Growth and Prosperity, Liberal Democratic Party, Chama cha Uzalendo and Alternative Leadership Party of Kenya.
Kituyi revealed that he had withdrawn from the race and was currently in talks with ODM party leader while accompanying him in Bungoma tour.
“Over the last three weeks, I have been talking to Baba over the possibility of us working together and I had wanted us to complete these talks before the Azimio la Umoja tour of Bungoma county,” Kituyi said.
Kituyi emphasised that the Azimio la Umoja Movement’s affiliate parties are working together to guarantee that Deputy President William Ruto does not win the presidency in the August 9 elections.
“Somebody must be stopped from ever becoming the president of Kenya,” he said.
This is, however, contrary to an earlier plan last year where National Assembly speaker Justin Muturi, Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana, Narc-Kenya party leader Martha Karua and Kituyi are in talks of building a coalition ahead of the 2022 General Election.
The four leaders had said they believe they will receive overwhelming support from Kenyans and that there is no reason for retreat.
So far Karua has joined One Kenya alliance (OKA) while Kibwana joined Azimio la Umoja and there has been speculations that Muturi will join OKA.
