Opposition chief Raila Odinga is set to popularise his presidential bid in the North Rift region that is DP William Ruto’s political backyard.
Raila is scheduled to be in Turkana on Thursday where most of his allies led by Governor Josphat Nanok have since decamped to Ruto’s UDA party.
“We expect him to also head to Eldoret for more meetings,” an ODM official in the region Kipkorir Menjo said. He said details of the meetings were still being discussed.
Raila’s allies led by Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos are planning a series of meetings in the region. Tolgos is the only governor in the region supporting Raila.
“It’s the same Raila whom we supported in 2007 elections and I see nothing wrong in standing with him,” Tolgos said.
The ODM chief is also reviving his networks as he seeks to make inroads in the region where Ruto enjoys wide support.
ODM is also set to re-open all its offices in Rift Valley, in readiness for the 2022 polls.
The party along with Kanu and Chama Cha Mashinani will compete with the dominant UDA party which has recruited more than 1.5 million members.
“We will just re-energise operations at all the offices which have been in existence, so that we ready ourselves for campaigns ahead of next year’s polls,” Uasin Gishu ODM branch chairman David Songok said.
Songok, an ally of Raila and one of the ODM strategists in the region, said they are preparing for a major political battle for Raila to succeed President Kenyatta.
“We are currently encouraging our leaders formerly under Nasa to come up with a fresh working relationship so that we go to elections together once again,” Songok said.
He warned that the former Nasa parties ANC, Wiper and ODM should not risk going at it alone because they would give a chance to undeserving opponents.
“In line with this we urge our leaders Odinga, Musalia Mudavadi and Kalonzo Musyoko to dialogue on the wayward,” Songok said in Eldoret.
Both Raila and Ruto are scheming for the top seat with indications that they will face off during the polls. Raila has hinted that he will declare if he will run for the top seat or not at the end of October.
On the other hand, UDA is recruiting more members in the Rift Valley, where most aspirants are preparing to vie through the party. The main competition is however expected in the party primaries.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)
