Raila Odinga, the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and a former prime minister, has received a major boost from the Mount Kenya region as the council of elders defends his presidential bid ahead of the August general elections, in which he seeks to become the country’s fifth head of state.
The Mount Kenya region is one of the most competitive political landscapes, with Deputy President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza Alliance and Raila Odinga’s Azimio la Umoja Coalition clashing frequently.
Both grand coalitions seek Mountain support in order to boost their ambitions as they seek to build the next administration. President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Jubilee Party, on the other hand, have endorsed and supported Raila Odinga in the Azimio la Umoja as its presidential flag bearer.
Perhaps the existing differences between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy, William Ruto, have created suspicion in the Mount Kenya region, leading to the division of political leaders. Currently, the Deputy President has a much larger share of Central Kenya leaders than President Uhuru Kenyatta’s supporters in the Azimio ahead of Raila Odinga’s bid.
According to reports, the Chairperson of the Kikuyu Council of Elders, Wachira Kiago, has stated that President Uhuru did an outstanding job in forming a coalition with the Orange Democratic Movement and that his legacy must be preserved.
