ODM party leader Raila Odinga is among those who have openly shown intentions of vying for presidency in the coming general elections.
The party however says that initially, the former prime minister did not have any intentions of going for the position in the elections slated for August 9, 2022.
According to the party’s secretary general Edwin Sifuna, Raila bowed to pressure to go for the position after receiving great persuasion from Kenyans of different political affiliations.
“Raila took the position that he wasn’t going to run if Kenyans told him that they were done with him or that they were tired. The response, which was not just from members of ODM; we had friends from FORD-Kenya, Jubilee Party, Tangatanga… was that people have faith in him and he should take another stab at the presidency,” Sifuna said in an interview with Citizen TV.
Raila is expected to announce his plans ahead of the coming elections next week. Sifuna however said that they hope the ODM leader will announce that he has accepted people’s calls to vie for presidency.
“Our expectation is that Raila will listen to the desires of Kenyans and announce on December 10 that he has heeded to the call by Kenyans to give it another try,” Sifuna said.
He however declined to provide details on Raila’s potential running mate saying that it is not yet time for that.
“He has not shared his thoughts yet. The issue of running mates is not a discussion of today nor the 10th because there is a lot of consideration that goes into a deputy.”
Raila had announced that he would make the big announcement on December 9, but the date of the event was changed and will now be held on December 10 at Moi International Sports Center in Kasarani.
“Baba (Raila) has checked his calendar and he believes that December 10, is the day that God has made for us to converge at the Kasarani Stadium, that is the day that Baba will speak with Kenyans, his address will be according to the views he has been collecting from Kenyans he has been meeting with during the Azimio la Umoja fora held in 15 counties,” ODM’s Director of Elections Junet Mohammed made the announcement.
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