Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has pulled a surprise in his quest for State House saying he is not sure about vying for the presidency in the 2022 General Election barely two months after dropping the clearest hint that he will be on the ballot.
In a round table meeting with Meru elected leaders in Nairobi on Thursday, August 2, the ODM leader whose analysts say his political influence has reduced since the March 2018 handshake said he was still consulting on his next political move as the 2022 presidential elections draw closer.
“I have not yet declared I will be in the 2022 Presidential race; I’m still consulting,” Raila Odinga said.
In July, the opposition chief dropped the clearest indication he will be in the 2022 presidential race, after months of avoiding the subject.
Speaking during an interview on Radio Citizen, Raila said he does not await President Uhuru Kenyatta’s endorsement for the presidency, but his vote, perhaps the clearest indication the opposition chief will be the 2022 presidential race.
“I have not said I want Uhuru’s endorsement, neither has he said he will endorse me. (President) Uhuru (Kenyatta) has been my competitor, how will he endorse me?” the ODM leader wondered.
With barely 10 months to the polls, it is speculated that Raila Odinga is President Uhuru Kenyatta’s favorite presidential candidate to succeed him in the August 2022 presidential election.
It is no doubt that the recent series of meetings between the Head of State and the opposition chiefs Raila Odinga and One Kenya Alliance (OKA) Principals have been aimed at making Raila the official flag bearer, something Uhuru has however denied.
OKA brings together Musalia Mudavadi (ANC), Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper), Gideon Moi (KANU), and Moses Wetang’ula (Ford Kenya).
Raila Odinga’s working relationship with Mudavadi, Musyoka, and Wetang’ula came to an end after reports emerged that Raila was not willing to back either of them for top seat as per a 2017 agreement.
