President Kenyatta’s allies believe that the candidature of ODM leader Raila Odinga with the support of the President can stop Deputy President William Ruto’s 2022 presidential bid.
A number of the President’s allies have come out to support Raila’s presidency, setting the stage grueling two-horse race in the next general elections.
On Tuesday, Maina Kamanda joined the voices from Jubilee that have asked Kenyans to start embracing for Raila’s presidency.
Kamanda told the Star the President’s final word will catapult Raila to the top office.
“Kenyans should prepare for President Raila Odinga in 2022. He is the best bet for the future as he will not plunder public resources,” Kamanda said.
The President, on the other hand, is yet to pronounce himself on his 2022 choice but his cozy relationship with the ODM leader has caused speculation he could support his Raila.
According to the controversial political analyst Mutahi Nguyi, Uhuru only needs to deliver six percent of the Central votes to Raila for the former Prime Minister to be the President.
“Raila had 44% of the vote in 2013 and 2017. It is still intact,” Ngunyi claimed on his social media pages.
“Uhuru needs 6% of GEMA to make Raila President. This is half of Kiambu or Akorino women only. Uhuru does not need Kikuyus. In fact, 84% of GEMA can follow Ruto if they want to. And they will still fail! Simple math.”
In an interview with a local media, Kamanda dismissed Ruto’s popularity across Mt. Kenya terming it as passing cloud.
According to Kamanda, Ruto is only pulling crowds by not genuine supporters. He said the crowds will thin once Uhuru’s allies hit the road.
“When the President finally declares that it would be Raila, Ruto will be nothing in Mt Kenya and that would be the end of his dreams,” Kamanda told the Star.
Kamanda’s position matches that of influential Jubilee Vice-Chairman David Murathe who maintained that Ruto’s crowded rallies would not turn into votes.
“If you went to a market with a monkey and then someone comes to the market with a goat, people will go to watch the monkey but definitely when it comes to what they will take home they will take the goat,” he said.
Words have it that Raila is planning to dangle the deputy presidency or prime minister’s position to appease the vote-rich Central Kenya.
Former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth is touted as the region’s bet for one of the two posts in the 2022 line up.
President’s allies have been seen visiting Raila’s Capitol Hill offices as the political landscape is taking shape with the anticipation of the expanded executive.
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- Women Rep Ngirici dares Murathe to quit Jubilee for ODM( Video)
- Ngunjiri Wambugu explains why most Jubilee senators voted out Kindiki
While the President has been silent on his succession plan, his messy falling out with his deputy leaves him with limited options.
Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wabugu has warned the Ruto’s rebellion and defiance of the President despite various warnings would be his ultimate “killer punch”.
“Mt Kenya region is loyal to the President and will not support a saboteur of the President’s agenda,” Ngunjiri said.
Ngunjiri said the President’s final word on his succession politics will influence the way the region votes in the 2022 polls.
