First it was the famous March 2018 handshake between him and President Kenyatta, which they downplayed as a political ceasefire to cool down ethnic animosity brought about by the disputed 2017 presidential election.
Then he accompanied the president in a series of inspection of development projects in his native land of Luo Nyanza, including a visit to his rural Bondo home. This was followed by strategic meetings between elders from the Luo and Kenyatta’s Kikuyu communities.
And when debate was abounding as to why the president was not taking him to his native Mount Kenya region, he pulled the rag from beneath his detractors feet when the Mount Kenya Business and political leaders hosted him in Muranga County, the heart of Mount Kenya region, at a colourful event to celebrate Kenyan artists.
That’s Raila Odinga, former Kenyan Prime Minister, who became a thorn in the flesh for President Uhuru Kenyatta whom he accused of perpetuating corruption and ethnicity. But on Tuesday, he allayed fears that the newfound bromance between him and Kenyatta would not stand the test of times.
He was not only the Chief Guest at the Skiza Thanksgiving ceremony, an initiative to celebrate musicians in the country, but was also accompanied by the who is who of Kenyan politics and business. That every speaker described him as “His Excellency”, a term reserved only for the Head of State, confirmed speculations that he could be President Kenyatta’s heir apperent.
“Spent an enjoyable day in Muranga with our musicians, who reaffirmed that Kenyans need practical solutions to challenges, not empty sloganeering.” Odinga posted on his social media pages in an apperent dig at Deputy President William Ruto, who has been on a cash donation spree to churches and youths across the country.
For along time, the Mount Kenya region has been hostile to Odinga, who will be gunning for presidency for the fifth time. Since the 2018 handshake with Kenyatta, the region tilted towards Deputy President William Ruto, whose newly formed United Democratic Alliance went a head to win a by-election in Kenyatta’s home county of Kiambu.
But this visit is viewed as the beginning of a charm offensive by the Mt. Kenya politicians to endear Odinga to the vote rich region.
Immediately after the ceremony, renowned political analyst Mutahi Ngunyi revealed that the Muranga meeting is just the beginning of a well-oiled machine by President Kenyatta to turn tables on his deputy Ruto for the benefit of Odinga.
Last week Odinga hosted National Assembly Speaker, Justine Muturi, the recently crowned Mt. Kenya spokesman together with veteran legislator Amos Kimunya and Kirinyaga County Governor, Ann Waiguru, all close allies of President Kenyatta, in Mombasa.
