The question of whether Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga will be on the presidential ballot paper for the 2022 general election has finally been answered.
This is after he officially announced that he will be vying for the seat – a record fifth time that he will be seeking to be Kenya’s President.
He previously vied for the presidency in 1997, 2007, 2013, and 2017 – on all occasions failing – but claimed he was rigged out in the past three elections.
“I do hereby accept to present myself as a presidential candidate for the presidential elections of the 9th of August 2022” Raila Odinga declared at the climax of a colorful Azimio la Umoja National Convention held at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi on Friday, December 10, 2021.
While declaring his presidential bid, the former Prime Minister said he is committed to building a democratic and progressive Kenya – should he be elected Kenya’s fifth President.
The 76-year-old veteran opposition leader popularly referred to by many as ‘Baba’, remains popular despite losing four shots at the presidency.
His popularity came in when he stunned the country by shaking hands with President Uhuru Kenyatta, in the famous March 8 handshake – the act that brought Kenyans together and restored peace among Kenyans following a disputed 2017 poll that was annulled by the Supreme Court and a repeat poll that the ODM supremo boycotted.
By joining the race, Raila Odinga will now face his friend-turned-foe – Deputy President William Ruto who is considered the front runner for the seat.
Ruto, leading the Hustler Narrative campaign with his Bottom Up Economic model has on numerous occasions claimed the ODM leader has no intentions of uniting Kenyans – but only to cause divisions.
Aside from Raila and Ruto, the One Kenya Alliance (OKA) is also expected to present its presidential candidate.
OKA consists of Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader Musalia Mudavadi, former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper Party), Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula (Ford Kenya Party leader), and KANU’s Gideon Moi.