President Uhuru Kenyatta fell short of directly recommending his handshake partner as his best-suited successor while addressing a rally on Wednesday, September 29.
In an address to a section of Kibra residents on Uhuru appeared to indirectly endorse Raila Odinga as the right man to continue with his development projects while maintaining a peaceful country.
Accompanied by Raila Odinga, the President told Kibra residents to make the right decision in the 2022 General Election.
“Haven’t we experienced peace after we come together with Raila Odinga? Haven’t we experienced development after the peace? Do you want the work to go on? Do you want that work to go on? The choice is yours? Will you make the right decision (in the 2022 General Election)? Will you make the right choice?”Uhuru posed in a direct reference to Raila Odinga amid cheers from the crowd.
Previously, Uhuru has denied having any preferred candidate to take after him when he retires even though there have been lots of evidence he prefers Raila Odinga for the job.
Observers have suggested Raila Odinga is being prepared to lead the country considering the damaged relationship between William Ruto and Uhuru Kenyatta.
The move by President Uhuru to endorse Raila Odinga for president comes after the ODM leader met businesspersons from the Mt Kenya region who majorly endorsed him for the job.
In a meeting held in Nairobi on Tuesday, September 28, the Mount Kenya Foundation(MKF) said they had been tasked by President Uhuru to help in identifying an ideal person to succeed him.
“The President asked us to advise him on what type of person he should hand the mantle to,” said MKF vice-chairman Titus Ibui.
However, the group announced that it will also hold a similar meeting with principals of the One Kenya Alliance to find the best man to succeed President Uhuru.
“Once we have gone through the interaction, we will sit down to choose who we relate with and then take the name to the President,” said Ibui.
There have been calls by politicians for President Uhuru Kenyatta to declare his preferable successor.
In June, Uhuru met Raila Odinga and One Kenya Alliance co-principals, where he promised to back one of them for the presidency.
He warned the group against being divided, as it would give DP William Ruto a chance to be the 5th president.
