Deputy President William Ruto allies in the Rift Valley on Wednesday dared opposition leader Raila Odinga to a 2022 presidential match, saying they were readying their arsenal to counter Mr Odinga’s challenge.
They said they had all along been aware of Mr Odinga’s plans and that they had a counter strategy in place adding that his intention to take advantage of the handshake with President Uhuru Kenyatta will not help him.
This was in response to assertions by Mr Odinga’s allies on Tuesday that the former premier was contemplating a fifth bid at the presidency in 2022.
Siaya Senator James Orengo, Governor Cornel Rasanga and other ODM lieutenants on Tuesday disclosed plans to rebrand ODM and field Mr Odinga for the presidency in 2022.
“We are rebranding our party leader to contest on an ODM party ticket in 2022,” said Mr Orengo at the burial of the mother-in-law of former Gem MP Joe Donde in Ikolomani Kakemga County.
Those remarks jolted the rift lawmakers who said they were ready for the match.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei said they had all along known that Mr Odinga was preparing for 2022 and that he had taken advantage of the handshake to rebrand himself for the bid.
“It is not a surprise at all. We have all along known he was getting ready for another bid. We are ready for him. We are working to solidify the DP’s base,” said the outspoken Senator.
President Kenyatta and Mr Odinga shook hands last March in a gesture indicating their willingness to work together after a tumultuous electioneering period where they faced each other for the second time.
The handshake has been warmly received across the country. The two have always insisted that the agreement they entered excluded talk about 2022 elections.
Mr Cherargei said the DP would not wait for any surprises.
He confirmed that a number of meetings would be held across the region to popularize and affirm Mr Ruto’ supremacy.
“He is our leader and is he is going around the country meeting people, making more friends and establishing networks. It is now upon us to ensure his political base remains intact. As Rift Valley leaders under him we will not sleep but will work hard to solidify his base,” said Mr Cherargei yesterday.
