Presidential hopeful Raila Odinga has picked a 12-member election Board which he hopes will help him ascend into the President’s office after the General Election.
The ODM leader picked Ndiritu Murithi, Anyang’ Nyong’o and Charity Ngilu who are first-term governors and University dons Peter Wanyande, Karuti Kanyinga, and Makau Mutua to craft and implement his 10-point manifesto in his quest for the top seat.
The former Prime Minister also included technocrats, Journal of Academy of Business and Economics managing director Betty Montet, former Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Commissioner in charge of Domestic Tax Elizabeth Meyo, media mogul SK Macharia, Seth Kakusye, advocate Kanchory Saitaboi and National Gender and Equality Commissioner Priscilla Nyokabi.
This is different as previously Raila normally relied on politicians during his campaign. For example, in the last General elections held in 2017, ANC Party leader Musalia Mudavadi was the chair of his campaign committee.
Raila has passed a message that his campaign will focus on economy, corruption, health, education and social welfare.
Media Mogul SK Macharia who is a long term friend of Raila, is a representative of the Mount Kenya Foundation who will mobilize funds from the region and ensure they are well used during the campaign.
The Mount Kenya Foundation consists of wealthy business people who have had an influence in the past election.
Some political Analyst say Raila picked the selected team due to their wide range of experience in the electoral affairs as well as his input and expertise on the Universal Health Coverage, which has been Raila and President Uhuru Kenyatta’s novel dream.
Ngilu who is a first-term Governor for Kitui as strong ally of Raila who is among the team said the team is a ‘great think-tank’.
“What a wonderful team to work with. Kenyans should expect issue-based campaigns. This is not a team to waste time on propaganda and personal mudslinging. We want our candidate to tell Kenyans what he shall do for them,” Ngilu told People Daily.Laikipia Governor, Ndiritu Muriithi who will be the team leader, is retired President Mwai Kibai’s nephew and when interpreted otherwise, it means Raila has got support from the former president.
Raila’s allies who spoke with People Daily said that Meyo will have sweeping powers to manage the campaign, fundraise, hire and fire staff and manage logistics.
“During her tenure at the KRA, Meyo was pivotal in authority’s policy and strategy development. She spearheaded the rollout of iTax, which has revolutionised revenue collection in Kenya,” Raila wrote of her appointment
