In what is seen as a do-or-die contest against Deputy President William Ruto, Raila’s plan is to confine Ruto to his Rift Valley backyard as they scramble for the Mt Kenya vote bloc.
Raila is moving swiftly to try and consolidate Central Kenya voting base ahead of the 2022 general elections.
For the first time, the former prime minister is facing the 2022 elections with a friendly system and most likely the backing of President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Over the past few weeks, Raila has held several strategy meetings with top political leaders.
He has met key opinion leaders at the grassroots and unleashed his own transformation agenda to counter Ruto’s economic model.
Recently, Raila hosted Mt Kenya leaders, including National Assembly Majority Leader Amos Kimunya for a breakfast meeting in Mombasa.
Part of his plan is to conquer Central Kenya, a region that has perennially voted against him and is seen as gravitating towards Ruto.
In his team are veteran city politician Maina Kamanda, MPs Jude Njomo (Thika Town), Kanini Kega (Kieni), Peter Mwathi (Limuru) and CAS Rachael Shebesh.
Last week, Raila unveiled his agenda to unlock rural economies and to ensure a fully industrialised Kenya.
On Wednesday the former prime minister narrowed his rural transformation narrative to regions to woo local voters.
The approach is not only seen as Raila’s grand plan to win over voters but is also viewed as a deliberate move to counter Ruto’s hustler narrative.
