- This is the second time in four months the ODM leader is flying to Dubai.
- In July this year, the former prime minster United Arab Emirates city in a trip that was linked to resource mobilization ahead of his 2022 presidential campaigns.
ODM leader Raila Odinga is set to leave for Dubai on Wednesday at a time the race for State House has begun heating up with daily campaign meetings across the country.
The opposition chief is expected to fly out of the country to the United Arabs Emirates where he will stay for a week.
Yesterday, ODM chairman John Mbadi confirmed the trip, but would not divulge the reasons for the trip.
However, sources within the Orange party told the Star that Raila’s visit is private.
“He is going to Dubai, he is going for one week,” Mbadi said on phone.
This is the second time in four months the ODM leader is flying to Dubai.
In July this year, the former Prime Minister flew to the United Arab Emirates city on a trip that was linked to resource mobilisation ahead of his 2022 presidential campaigns.
His office, however, denied the campaign fundraising claim.
Accompanying him for the July trip was Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, a suave businessman and undisputed Raila’s Mr Fix It and top adviser.
Raila’s trip comes on the backdrop of heightened political activities with his political rival Deputy President William Ruto holding huge rallies and political consultative meetings at his Karen residence.
On Monday, Ruto pitched camp in Makueni county where he engaged traders at Kibwezi, Kiundwani and Makindu centres.
Ruto was yesterday at his Karen residence where he received Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru who joined his hustler movement.
Raila has also been on the campaign trail this week touring Kisii, Kiambu and Kisumu where he urged his Nyanza support base to register in large numbers during the ongoing enhanced voters’ registration.
On his return, the ODM leader is expected to storm Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s Ukambani backyard where he will preside over the Azimio la Umoja meeting in Machakos on November 12.
The Lower Eastern regional consultative meeting will be held in Machakos county.
ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna yesterday confirmed the Machakos meeting, adding that their unity drive will move to all the corners of the country.
“Our Azimio la Umoja will be in Machakos county on November 12 then we shall move to Central Kenya on a date to be announced,” Sifuna said.
According to the secretary-general, the last leg of the regional consultative meetings will be held in Nairobi in early December.
The ODM leader is expected to formally join the race to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta during the Nairobi meeting.
In all the regional consultations—Nyanza, Western, Coast, North Eastern, Rift Valley—delegates have resolved to back Raila for president.
-Edited by SKanyara