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A day after receiving a resounding endorsement for his fifth presidential attempt,  ODM leader Raila Odinga left the country last evening for the United Kingdom.

Raila, who was officially picked as the Azimio La Umoja candidate on Saturday, is gearing up for a busy schedule that will see him meet senior UK government officials, religious leaders and hold talks with Kenyans living in the country. The trip comes under a week after Deputy President William Ruto, his rival for the presidency, led his Kenya Kwanza Alliance team for a similar visit to the country. 

Yesterday, Dennis Onsarigo, the Press Secretary of Raila Odinga 2022 Campaign Secretariat, confirmed he was to fly out Sunday night for London.

Chatham House talk

He will be accompanied by senior Azimio leaders including Peter Kenneth (former Gatanga MP), Governors Hassan Joho (Mombasa), Lee Kinyanjui (Nakuru), Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega) and Charity Ngilu (Kitui).

He is expected to meet Lord Tarif Ahmad, the UK minister for South Asia and North Africa, Theo Clarke, UK’s Trade representative to Kenya, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and will also interact with the Kenyan diaspora.

Raila will also give a talk at Chatham House, a global think-tank popularly known for hosting leaders to give talks on topical issues relevant to their countries.

Raila will be expected to speak on the country’s elections and how he intends to address issues like the economy, the debt crisis and corruption if he wins the presidency in August.

“At this event, Raila Odinga will share his vision for Kenya and Africa in an increasingly uncertain world, and will reflect on the political goal of unity presented by his Azimio la Umoja coalition movement,” said Chatham on its website.