This admission, featured prominently in Saturday's Kenyan newspapers, shatters claims of Raila endorsing Ruto's re-election bid.
Junet, a close Raila ally, told the Saturday Nation that Raila believed a unified opposition under his banner could secure victory.
"Let nobody lie to you: Raila was still planning to vie for the presidency," Junet stated.
"He did not believe there was anyone in the current opposition rank and file with the capacity to defeat President William Ruto."
Alternatives included bolstering the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) within a broad-based government or even negotiating Ruto's support for 2027, with Ruto potentially returning in 2032.
Junet emphasized: "If he ultimately chose not to run, he said he would instead strengthen his party... He told me he could even convince Ruto to back him in 2027 under that arrangement."
The revelation comes amid political turbulence, as Raila's African Union Commission chairperson bid hangs in the balance.
Junet dismissed rumors of ODM pledging loyalty to Ruto, calling them fabrications. Analysts suggest this could reignite opposition infighting, complicating Ruto's path to re-election.
Elsewhere in the papers, Ruto accused ex-President Uhuru Kenyatta of funding ODM dissenters to sabotage unity efforts.
In Taifa Leo, Ruto urged Siaya Governor James Orengo to resist external influences during a meeting with county MCAs, focusing on development transparency.
Social issues also dominated: Renal patients protested at Kenyatta National Hospital over medication shortages and bureaucratic hurdles under the Social Health Authority, per The Saturday Standard.
Meanwhile, the Law Society of Kenya opposed the sale of 15% government Safaricom shares, warning of national security risks in the Weekend Star.
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