Roots party presidential candidate George Wajackoyah has rubbished viral reports that he has endorsed his Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya rival, Raila Odinga, for the presidency.
The lawyer-turned-politician was captured in a viral video heaping praises on the ODM party leader at a club in Kisumu, sparking speculations that he had backed Raila’s bid.
“I am here to join the battle of liberators in this country and the person who makes me stand here is none other than Raila Amollo Odinga,” Wajackoyah is heard saying in the 37-second video.
Presidential candidate Wajackoyah endorses Raila’s presidency bid pic.twitter.com/euIn03Pddc
— Oliver Mathenge (@OliverMathenge) August 3, 2022
But in an interview with a local daily, Wajackoyah denied the claims, saying his remarks were taken out of context.
“I have seen the video. You know people are just mad. William Ruto’s people have created an image of me on Facebook saying I am supporting him. Some are saying I have endorsed Raila,” he told The Standard.
“Yes, I said those words, that I look up to Raila just like I what I said about Ruto in Eldoret. I was acknowledging what Raila has done in Nyanza, and what he has done for the people. What is wrong is that?” he paused.
The man, touted as the third horse in the polls slated for August 9, insists he will be on the ballot.
He spoke a day after an opinion poll by Infotrak ranked him third in the State House race.
The survey placed Raila ahead of the pack with a 49 per cent popularity rating.
According to the survey, Raila’s archrival William Ruto, running on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket would scoop 42 per cent of the votes if elections were held today.
Wajackoyah and Agano party’s David Mwaure Waihiga scored 2 per cent and 0.3 per cent respectively.
