As the political realignments occur ahead of next year’s general election, Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has advanced his effort to endear himself to the vote-rich region.
The fall-out between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy President William Ruto has made Raila fronted by Kenyatta’s loyalists in Mt Kenya region.
Yesterday, Raila met top businessmen from Mt. Kenya region at the Safari Park hotel, Nairobi, where he was embraced as Kenyatta’s successor.
Hosted by Mt Kenya Foundation, chairman Peter Munga said the mountain will be looking for a leader who will not seek followers but to inspire them.
“Nobody ever thought that you would climb the mountain and come down without slipping. When you are going to Mt Kenya, you don’t have to look for followers, they will come to you so long as you inspire them,” Munga said.
MKF Vice-chairman Titus Ibui said the President met the wealth club in Sagana, Nyeri last year and sought their help to identify an ideal person to take over in 2022.
He said that the group is looking for a successor who will abide by the Constitution and give them conducive environment to conduct their businesses.
The foundation will meet the One Kenya Alliance on Friday as part of the ongoing search.
“Once we have gone through the interaction, we will sit down to choose who we relate with and then take the name to the President,” said Ibui.
However, Kenyatta’s confidants seem to have already settled their support to the opposition leader.
Nyeri MP Ngunjiri Wambugu said Raila had finally found the best route to rally Mt Kenya in his 2022 presidential candidature.
“As a region, we cannot be coerced or intimidated to vote for anyone. We will be wooed and Raila seems to get it,” he said.
Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui said they will rally the community to back Raila and will ensure he defeats Ruto.
Kieni MP Kanini Kega said numerous rallies are lined up for the ODM leader in the region.
“It takes seven days to climb a mountain but you started climbing the mountain yesterday and you are already halfway. I know next time you will complete it,” he said.
Governor Francis Kimemia urged Mt Kenya leaders to go back to the people and change the narrative against Raila.
He said that for too long, Raila has been demonized by the region’s leaders.
This comes after his three-day visit in Nanyuki and was hosted by four governors who announced plans to popularise Raila in the region.
The four county chiefs included Nderitu Muriithi (Laikipia), Lee Kinyanjui (Nakuru), James Nyoro (Kiambu), and Francis Kimemia (Nyandarua).
They also announced that they are planning meetings which will incorporate every segment of the population.
“We shall plan and coordinate structured engagement with the region focusing on elected leaders, community leaders, business leaders, farmers’ organizations, the faith organizations, and key opinion leaders and shapers in the region,” they said.
And the meetings, they announced, will lead to a pronouncement on the region’s preferred candidate in next year’s Presidential elections.
“This weekend is the first engagement in a series of consultative meetings planned across the entire region that will definitely culminate in a declaration,” they announced.
