Political realignments are shaping up with western Kenya leaders allied to ODM forging for an alliance between their party leaderย Railaย Odinga and Kenya National Congress (KNC) leaderย Peter Kennethย ahead of 2022.
A section of ODM legislators reached out toย Kennethย saying they make a better team withย Railaย to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta in the next polls.
The appearance ofย Kennethย in a funds drive organized by one ofย Railaโsย loyalist MP Caleb Amisi last Saturday in Saboti constituency, Trans Nzoia county is setting stage for a political duel for the voter rich-Western bloc, betweenย Railaย and Deputy President (DP) William Ruto who has also been making overtures.
Ruto has made a series of visits to Counties in Western Kenya,ย Railaโsย perceived political stronghold.
Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala led ODM MPs to lureย Kennethย to their side signalling a possible political deal betweenย Railaย andย Kenneth.
โWe are asking our brotherย Kennethย to team up with our party leaderย Railaย Odinga in the succession bid. It is a winning formula,โ Malala toldย Kennethย who was the chief guest in the event to support an education bursary for bright and needy students in Saboti constituency.
Kennethย has been in the fore front to support the handshake betweenย Railaย and President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Other ODM MPs Anthony Olouch (Mathare), Babu Owino (Embakasi East), Samuel Atandi (Alego Usonga) Caleb Amisi (Saboti) and ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna urged the KNC leader to joinย Railaย in the new political deal.
โWe know you are committed likeย Railaย to salvage Kenyans from poverty. Team up with him in the 2022 succession quest and you never know what is on the way for you,โ said Olouch.
Amisi saidย Railaย is ready to work with right minded leaders likeย Kennethย to improve the lives of Kenyans.
โKennethย is the right person to work withย Raila. You have in the past demonstrated capability to transform the economy and we want you to be part ofย Railaโsย government in 2022,โ Amisi toldย Kenneth.
The ODM lawmakers insisted thatย Railaโsย name will be on the ballot come 2022 presidential elections and told off those wanting him to quit politics.
The ODM criticized jubilee leaders who are agitating forย Railaโsย exit arguing that their party leader was still strong and energetic to lead the country.
โBaba (Raila) is strong and energetic and ready to serve Kenyans in the presidency. He is not old and I pity those calling on him to quit politics,โ said Olouch.
Atandi said Kenya require reform minded leader to occupy power and thatย Railaย is the best bet and askedย Kennethย to work with the former premier to help the country move forwards.
โTime has come for Kenyans to go for a reform minded leader andย Railaย is the best bet and we are asking our brotherย Kennethย to joinย Raila,โ said Atandi.
The MPs warned Kenyans against supporting leaders with questionable track record to power arguing that the country need honest and non-corrupt leaders.
โAs ODM We donโt have business with corrupt individuals to lead this country. Kenyans should not give leaders with questionable track records to get to power,โ said Malala.
Owino said the country will be safe hands when Kenyans elect leaders not linked to corruption.
โWe donโt want our country to be auctioned by greedy individuals. We must ensure that only trusted leaders are in power,โ said Owino
By Osinde Obare