Azimio leader Raila Odinga visited Meru County on Saturday, held a live interview with a radio station, and explained why he toured the region.
Raila arrived in Meru days after President William Ruto completed a three-day development tour of the county.
The opposition leader, who has not been to the county this year, said he wanted to interact with his supporters who voted for him in 2022.
While Raila did not link his Saturday tour to politics, his decision to grant a local radio station an interview lifted the lid on his bigger game plan.
Raila is said to be keen on capitalising on the political instabilities roiling Meru County to penetrate the region ahead of the 2027 polls.
However, when asked about the agenda of his trip, Raila distanced it from politics, saying it was more of a social tour.
He also said his visit aimed at wishing Meru residents good luck during the year 2024 and ''say a happy new year.''
"I am here courtesy of an invitation by my long-time friend Zablon Mathenge, we have come a long way with him,'' Raila said.
The ODM boss explained that Mathenge had invited him last year to be the chief guest at the reception ceremony for his daughter, who had graduated from university.
"But for reasons beyond my control, I was not able to attend the ceremony, but I promised him that I would come at the beginning of this year,'' Raila said in an interview with Mwariama FM in Meru.
Raila also explained that he was in the county to enjoy and sample the Meru people's popular delicacies.
"I am here to enjoy the Meru potatoes and also say a happy new year to my Meru friends,'' Raila said.
The opposition leader arrived in Meru days after former governor Peter Munya led Azimio bigwigs in celebrating the 15 years of existence of the PNU party.
Munya who is the leader of PNU is a key pillar of Raila's Azimio coalition and served as Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture in Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta's government.
The 15th anniversary of the PNU party was seen as a strategic move to roll out the revival of the former ruling party that secured Mwai Kibaki a second term in 2007.
During his tour last week, President Ruto came face to face with the political rivalry pitting local leaders after some youths heckled a section of politicians.
