The principals of the One Kenya Alliance (OKA) left State House Mombasa in disappointment after President Uhuru Kenyatta reportedly announced ODM Leader Raila Odinga as his preferred successor.
President Uhuru had summoned the OKA team alongside Raila for unity talks on Tuesday, August 10. Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya also attended the meeting.
Associates of the leaders who attended the closed door meeting have now come out to cry foul - lamenting that the President pressured other aspirants to drop their bids in favour of the ODM Leader.
A report by Nation on Thursday, August 12, quoted allies of ANC Musalia Mudavadi and Wiper's Kalonzo Musyoka indicating that their principals flatly refused the proposal.
The three principals who attended the meeting include Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi as well as Ford-Kenya leader Moses Wetangula.
The three are said to have flatly refused to support the former Prime Minister's bid to occupy the top office.
Lugari MP and Mudavadi ally Ayub Savula told the publication that his boss had stuck to his guns despite immense pressure to throw his weight behind Raila.
"Our principals were put under pressure. I spoke to him yesterday after the meeting and he told me he stuck to his guns.
"There is pressure to have Musalia support (Raila). We have stuck to our guns. We are not going to prop up anybody this time round," stated Savula.
Savula's sentiments were corroborated by Victor Swanya who is Wiper Party's co-vice chairman who urged Raila to retire as Uhuru leaves office.
"Raila's time is over. Our position is very clear. Raila should be a gentleman and retire with Uhuru Kenyatta as he has a very good opportunity to shape the next leaders of this great nation," he stated.
Raila is, however, yet to express his interest to vie for the top office against Deputy President William Ruto whose United Democratic Alliance (UDA) is fast gaining momentum.
Kalonzo has previously confirmed that he would not be supporting the former Prime Minister and that he did not need the former premier's support in his quest to ascend to the Presidency.
"Let me answer Raila Odinga while here in church. Stephen Kalonzo only seeks endorsement from God," Kalonzo famously stated in February 2021.
ODM and Uhuru's Jubilee Party are currently in talks for unified outfit as campaigns heats up countrywide.
