• Raila is banking on Mt Kenya votes to shore up his stakes in the 2022 race.
• Uhuru subtly endorsed Raila at his Kibra backyard on Wednesday.
President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday gave the clearest signal he is backing ODM leader Raila Odinga as his preferred successor. https://bit.ly/3okPpT9
President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday gave the clearest signal he is backing ODM leader Raila Odinga as his preferred successor.
The President made the revelation when addressing a gathering in Kibra where he was accompanied by Raila for a tour of development projects.
The president opened two hospitals in the populous area that Raila represented as MP for decades.
President Kenyatta for the first time left no doubt that he wanted someone who would continue with his development plans after he exits in 2022.
He heaped praises on Raila for accepting to enter into a handshake with him in March 2018 saying the peaceful environment that followed helped his legacy projects.
“When we came together, didn't we experience peace? So where is the problem? Isn’t that what we want? Don’t we want that work to continue? It is up to you. Will you make wise choices? Let us see how you will do it,” President Kenyatta told the jubilant crowd.
The President said jobs would follow development, lauding the ODM leader for allowing his administration to execute development in the country.
“I am thankful for you because your former MP… when we came together, wasn’t there peace? And after peace there is development… then what is it we want if not the peace,” President Kenyatta said.
President Kenyatta said it was time Kenyans opposed his unity bid with Raila to read the signs and see the products of peace and unity.
“Let us love one another as, through that, there is nothing we can’t attain as a nation. I want to tell those grumbling to watch see the benefit of oneness and peace,” the President said.
The subtle endorsement followed shortly after Raila was hailed by Mt Kenya tycoons as the best bet for the country come 2022.
The developments stand to throw DP William Ruto’s stakes in the region into a spin, the latter saying he is not worried by the moves.
The President earlier said categorically that he wouldn’t hand over power to a certain click of politicians and has over time shown his soft spot for Raila.
The Mt Kenya Foundation leaders equally left no doubt that they’d back Raila, hailing him as one who stands to protect the interest of the region in the 2022 equation.
The ODM leader is banking on the region's backing to give him a headstart in the quest to become the fifth president.