Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) boss Raila Odinga now says that his next political move will be informed by the interests of the Kenyan citizenry. ODM boss Raila Odinga addressing his supporters in a past political rally. Photo: Andrew Renneisen. Source: Getty Images Raila, while returning to the country on February 24, said he would be giving the way forward as regards his next manoeuvres after being defeated in the Africa Union Commission (AUC) election in Addis Ababa on February 15. What is Raila Odinga up to? Speaking in Migori on Thursday, the veteran political state that his undertakings would be in the best interest of the country, seeming to allay the concerns of him siding with a regime deemed as oppressive to the citizenry.
He said he would consider all the views Kenyans are giving him as he consults ahead of his ‘big’ announcement. “We are not going to betray our people in whatever we do. What we do must be something that is fine in the best interest of the people of Kenya. This is a consulting mission. I am moving around the country to consult the people after what happened in Addis Ababa. I have listened very carefully to the views, and the people have given me a blank cheque, and they have said that they have faith in what we are going to do because they know it will be in their best interest,” he said. Speculation has been rife about Raila’s next move after the events in Addis Ababa, with some quarters foreseeing a pre-2027 pact with President William Ruto. Will Raila partner with Ruto ahead of 2027 General Election?
Raila and Ruto have been cozying up to each other in the recent past after burying their longtime political rivalry. The president committed himself to pushing Raila’s AUC chairman candidature, which ultimately failed. In his first address after returning to the country after the Addis duel, Raila heartfully thanked Ruto for his gesture in the campaigns leading up to the election. He, throughout his speech at State House Mombasa, struck a conciliatory tone to the president, indicating a friendship that was not going to end soon. Out of the two leaders’ recent displays in public, it became apparent to keen observers that they might soon enter into a pact that will have a bearing on the next presidential election.
by Kai Eli
