Raila Odinga, a 77-year-old Kenyan veteran opposition leader, got support from an alliance of more than 20 political parties to compete for the presidency during the nation’s August polls. She got this support at Saturday’s conference.
Among the parties that promised support for Odinga’s quest for the presidency in East Africa’s largest economy was the ruling Jubilee, which President Uhuru Kenyatta heads.
This is happening for the first time in the history of Kenya. The ruling party headed by 61-year-old Kenyatta announced support for an opposition leader, a reaffirmation the country’s nascent democracy was maturing.
During his speech held at Odinga’s coronation ceremony, Kenyatta carried in the Kenyan capital. In that ceremony, Nairobi stated that he had faith in his former rival, whom they shook hands four years back in 2018, after a fierce contest, set the stage for an era of peace and tranquility in the country.
According to Kenyatta’s statement, “I have faith in the ability of Odinga’s that he will surely have the ability to transform this country and ensure it remained peaceful, united and a key player in regional affairs.”
Odinga’s approval to run for presidency under the Azimio la Umoja (Resolution for Unity) team of more than 20 political parties set the stage for intensive campaigns ahead of August 9 national polls.
The son of the late doyen of Kenyan opposition party leader in Politics, ‘Jaramogi Oginga Odinga’ who is also the African Union (AU)High Representative for Infrastructure Development, will have a fifth stab at the presidency in the August polls.
The rest of the political parties’ heavy weights announced that they would back Odinga’s presidential race, including Kalonzo Musyoka, an ex-foreign Minister and vice president who is also the leader of the opposition party.
