- Raila on Wednesday received Martha Karua to Azimio.
- Raila campaigns being spearheaded by President Uhuru.
ODM leader Raila Odinga has assembled big guns in his political battle against Deputy President William Ruto.
Raila clinched a political deal with Narc Kenya's Martha Karua on Tuesday.
Karua, unapologetic advocate of social justice, and Raila recalled their times in the struggle with the former Justice Minister publicly pledging to champion Raila's presidential campaigns.
“I am committed and so is Narc Kenya to popularise the Azimio presidential flag bearer and his 10-point agenda which is part of the social justice ideals that we stand for,” Karua said in a press briefing at Serena Hotel.
Over the last few week, Raila has assembled big names to back his candidature that is also supported by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Some of the key individuals working with Raila were last together with him in Kibaki's 2002 Narc Coalition.
At the top of Raila’s politburo is President Uhuru Kenyatta who is playing the patron role in the nascent formation charged with the mandate of delivering Odinga’s presidency.
Then there is former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, a seasoned politician who garnered almost one million votes in his 2007 presidential debut.
Raila also has the support of Kanu chairman Gideon Moi – a scion of the country’s second President.
Raila is also getting backing of top national and regional kingpins.
Other seasoned and experienced political players include former UNCTAD boss Mukhisa Kituyi, governors Charity Ngilu (Kitui), Hassan Joho (Mombasa), Alfred Mutua (Machakos), Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega) and Nderitu Muriithi (Laikipia).
Others are Cabinet Secretaries Fred Matiang'i (Interior), Eugene Wamalwa (Defence), Ukur Yatani (Treasury), Peter Munya (Agriculture), governors Lee Kinyanjui (Nakuru), Ali Roba (Mandera), James Ongwae (Kisii), Alex Tolgos (Elgeyo Marakwet) and former head of Public Service Sally Kosgey.
On Wednesday, Karua said Raila is the most qualified candidate to take over from Kenyatta.
"I am here to confirm that from now onwards, Narc Kenya and I are supporting Azimio presidential candidate Raila Amolo Odinga," Karua said.
The Narc Kenya boss described Raila as a comrade in the struggle with whom she has been in the trenches.
“I have been looking keenly and I have been able to identify a critical mass of good people within the Azimio coalition and that is all that is needed to fight for the second liberation in this country," Karua said.
"We must look at leaders who can fulfil promises, it is easy to make campaign promises but it requires people of integrity to keep them."
Karua said they had disagreements but the managed to reach a consensus in the best interest of the people.
Former Othaya MP Mary Wambui was among the leaders accompanying Karua.
Raila described Karua as a general who will play a special role in the Azimio lA Umoja Movement.
"Comrade Martha Karua, this is a very proud and pleasant occasion. Before we came here we had a one on one, we took the journey down the memory lane," Raila said.
"We have agreed that the time has come again for us to come together. The march of the Nile is unstoppable and so is the movement of the people of Kenya to liberate this country."
Raila further said Karua played a crucial role in the fight for the second liberation through her legal practice.
"Karua has paid the heaviest price for the struggle of the second liberation, she was able to give probono to so many of our people who were being arrested and we didn't have money," Raila said.
“I feel very proud to receive Martha on this side, I didn't think she had any other choice because the difference is like day and night.”
Karua described Raila’s 10-point agenda as a good step in changing the lives of Kenyans.