Mt Kenya tycoons to endorse Raila for big seat

Tycoons from Mt Kenya will today endorse ODM leader Raila Odinga for the presidency, ahead of the much-awaited Azimio La Umoja rally in Nairobi on Friday.

Members of the Mt Kenya Foundation who had invited the key presidential candidates for assessment, are set to make the announcement at Nairobi’s Safari Park Hotel.

The tycoons recently held meetings with Raila and the One Kenya Alliance (OKA) principals Kalonzo Musyoka, Musalia Mudavadi, Moses Wetang’ula and Gideon Moi.

“You must be wondering what will happen after this. We will interrogate on who is best suited to protect the interests of Mt Kenya and a decision will be made,” said the foundation which is led by the Equity Bank founder Peter Munga, during their meeting with the OKA leaders.

Though they met all the key candidates, they convened a meeting between Raila and Mt Kenya East; a second one with Central Kenya during which they made it clear that they were keen to rally the region to back the Opposition chief.

Most suitable

“After our assessment of the candidates, we settled on Raila as the most suitable to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta. We will be making the announcement as we discuss other pertinent issues touching on the future of Mt Kenya,” said a high-profile source privy to today’s meeting, who requested anonymity in order to speak on the matter.

Other key voices of the foundation include media mogul SK Macharia, national leather board chairman Titus Ibui, former Kenya Airports Authority board chairman George Muhoho(President Kenyatta’s uncle )and former KenGen boss Eddy Njoroge.

The foundation will be making the declaration as plans are in top gear, for the Azimio la Umoja, meeting during which Raila is expected to declare his presidential candidature and set the stage for what is shaping up as a possible duel with Deputy President William Ruto.

Yesterday, organisers said that Orange party MPs will each be given 10 slots as part of their delegation to the National Convention of the Azimio la Umoja fete at the Kasarani International Stadium.

This is part of the resolution of the MPs after their two-hour parliamentary group meeting at Chungwa House yesterday.

A source who attended the meeting but sought anonymity, told People Daily that while the MPs have been tasked to each bring the 10 delegates, the governors have a bigger role in ensuring that delegates from their respective counties arrive on time.

Peace initiative

“The governors will take charge and where we do not have a governor, the local MPs will take charge and where we do not have a governor or MPs, the party will use its leadership structure to ensure that delegates fill the stadium as early as 7 am,” said the source.

Yesterday after the meeting that brought together ODM MPs, they trooped to Kasarani to inspect the venue for the National convention, where they called on Kenyans to spare time and attend the event.

ODM chairman and Suba South MP John Mbadi said that all Kenyans had been invited to attend Raila’s national convention where he is expected to make a big announcement.

“All Kenyans have been invited. We expect those living in Nairobi to be here early,” said Mbadi.

Jubilee nominated MP Maina Kamanda and an ardent ally of Uhuru said that both Jubilee and ODM officials met under the leadership of Raila, and agreed that the stadium needs to be filled up with supporters of peaceful coexistence and harmony among communities living in Kenya.

“This peace initiative was started by President Kenyatta and Raila. Every election, Nairobi has borne the greatest brunt of the violence.  We are all here to support the initiative. Nairobi is ready-We met yesterday as ODM and Jubilee party officials and agreed to fill the ground,” said Kamanda.
International event

ODM Director of Elections Junet Mohamed said that the committee organising the national convention, had completed the preparations and the only remaining thing was for the venue to be set.

“This is not an ODM or Jubilee affair. This is an international event. On behalf of the committee, I want to assure that the preparations regarding this venue is now complete. The other preparations are on course. This convention will show Kenyans and the world the road to prosperity,” said Junet.

According to Junet, the committee has invited more than 200 MPs, 40 governors, 1, 500 Ward Reps and other dignitaries who had confirmed their participation.

Ruaraka MP Tom Kajwang’ said that the issues to be canvassed at the Azimio la Umoja event are about the country’s leadership.

“This is a culmination of citizenry participation. The issues that we have like leadership and presidency are not personal. The issue that we have is to straighten this democracy so that we can catapult to where the Asian tigers are. You are all invited to attend the event,” said Kajwang’.

He went on: “In Nairobi, don’t wait for vehicles to bring you to the venue. There will be no spaces for vehicles. For Ruaraka, we will do a night vigil.”

Economic revolution

On Sunday while touring Kasarani Constituency, Raila told Kenyans to prepare for the biggest economic revolution, which he said will change the country for the better, should he be elected President in the August 2022 polls. 

He said the Azimio la Umoja clarion call has been one adventure that no other leader in the country ever thought of.

“I have been listening to Kenyans and their leaders speak, many have raised pertinent issues affecting our country and asking about what can be done to fix the country, we have a solution to all these problems,” he said. 

MPs Babu Owino (Embakasi East), James Nyikal (Seme), Abdulswamad Shariff (Mvita), Moitalel Ole Kenta (Narok North), Opiyo Wandayi (Ugunja), Richard Onyonka (Kitutu Chache South), Simba Arati (Dagoretti North), James Koyoo (Muhoroni), Ken Chonga (Kilifi South), Lilian Gogo (Rangwe), Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay), Gertrude Mbevu (Kilifi) were part of the team that toured the venue.