ODM leader Raila Odinga is campaigning aggressively to consolidate his traditional turf as he aims for yet another stab at the presidency in 2022.
Raila has undertaken a series of engagements in his bastions in his intricate strategy to unify his traditional the bases and ward off Deputy President William Ruto’s influence.
On Monday, the former Prime Minister will chair a mega meeting of elected leaders, councils of elders, professionals and businesspeople from Kisumu, Homa Bay, Siaya and Migori counties.
More than 1,000 delegates are expected at the meeting at Ciala Resort in Kisumu.
“It is expected each county delegation shall consist of no more than 200 people,” ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna said in an invitation to all governors, MPs, senators, MCAs and ODM coordinating committee members.
The counties are Raila’s political strongholds.
Their residents have voted for him almost to a man since 1997 when he first ran for president.
The meeting comes at a time when Raila, who is an AU special envoy, and his handshake partner President Uhuru Kenyatta, are persuading county assemblies to pass the Building Bridges Initiative Bill.
Already, the Siaya assembly in Raila home county, has approved the Bill – the first in the country – with Kisumu and Homa Bay expected to endorse the document on Tuesday and Thursday, respectively.
Migori is expected to approve the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2020 later in the week, demonstrating Raila’s firm political grip on the region.
The Bill must be passed by at least 24 of 47 county assemblies before going to Parliament for approval, then to a referendum.
The Star has established the former Prime Minister has lined up a series of similar meetings with grassroots and elected leaders, professionals, and youth and women groups countrywide.
In rallies, Raila and his party are seeking new allies as they seek to stamp their authority on regions ahead of the epic duel for State House in 2022.
“We are going to meet leaders from various regions. We will be giving schedules,” Sifuna said.
Raila launched the conventions in Turkana last Friday where he pitched camp for three days.
He met party officials, youth and women’s groups.
He held a rally at Lodwar’s Baraza Park and another one at Loima on Friday.
On Saturday, he held meetings at Kakuma and Katulu in Turkana North. Raila attended a church service at the Catholic Cathedral in Lodwar town.
Though Raila has largely kept off the 2022 debate and instead promoted BBI, his foot soldiers – including Jubilee’s Maina Kamanda – left no doubt that he has kicked off activities for the 2022 General Elections.
“We don’t want to talk about 2022 now because we don’t want to mix issues. But if there is anybody who thinks that Raila can be in this politics to make Kenya a better country, only for someone else to come and run it, that person should go to Mathare Mental Hospital,” Alego Usonga MP Sam Atandi said.
In his charm offensive in Turkana, Raila denounced his presumptive 2022 presidential rival, DP Ruto, as a liar who opposes reforms and told residents to shun him.