Raila's meeting with former President Mwai Kibaki stirs debate on 2022 succession
This comes after Raila's recent talks with the three men who have presided over the Presidency
The former Prime Minister's third political handshake with Mr Kibaki at his Muthaiga home in Nairobi clocked his rounds of high-octane deals with the three men who have presided over the country’s rule.
Mr Odinga had previously met retired president Daniel Moi on April 12 as well as President Uhuru Kenyatta on March 9 in the famous "Harambee House handshake."
Analysts say the meetings are designed to reorganize the Mt Kenya bloc, which is being primed through secret meetings.
Uhuru successor
Sources told The Star that a clique of influential Mt Kenya power brokers and leaders are pushing to position Mr Odinga to succeed Mr Kenyatta in 2022 in an elaborate game plan to unite the country.
The strategy to 'repay the Odingas' — given the role played by the Kenyatta and Odinga families at Independence — is aimed at diffusing ethnic animosities between the Luo and Kikuyu communities.
“Raila will be the Mt Kenya candidate. Its just a matter of time,” an informed source within the Opposition was quoted by the newspaper.
However, some of the high-flying government officials present at yesterday's meeting said the two leaders focused on political, conservation and development matters.
Kibaki expressed happiness with the direction the country is taking after the truce, describing it as the way to go.
DP Ruto
“We should be able to do more. We are one people. We know the problems and we have to deal with those problems,” Kibaki said.
Deputy President William Ruto has come out as the biggest victim of the series of handshakes having never participated in any and coming out as an outsider in a game involving powerful dynasties. He has however made it clear that he is not party to the main handshake.
Friday's meeting comes ahead of the May 2 “State of the Nation Address” by President Kenyatta where details of the unity deal are expected to be unveiled to Parliament ahead of the official launch.
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