Raila Odinga hints at 2022 presidential election contest against DP Ruto to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta

Raila fires up his supporters, hinting at facing DP Ruto in 2022 polls and new strategy

Charles Ouma

August 18, 2019 10:59 AM

The race is on

File image of Raila Odinga

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Saturday gave his supporters the clearest assurance that he will face Deputy President William Ruto in the 2022 Presidential elections.

Speaking in Gem at the burial of his aunt, Eva Donde, Odinga explained that it is for this reason that he resolved to work with President Uhuru Kenyatta in a partnership that has unsettled the DP.

Odinga stated that his change of strategy was necessary as he waits for the opportune time to take his supporters to the “promised land”.

"You have seen me change tack. This is a strategy. There are several ways that can lead us to where our ambition is," Odinga asserted.

"We will eventually get to Canaan — the land of plenty where our youth will get jobs, schools, health facilities, water, electricity and roads will not be a problem. That is where we seek to take the country," added the former Prime Minister.

Uhuru Kenyatta with Raila Odinga during the 09 March handshake Pulse Live Kenya

Fixing problems and reviving party

In the clearest indication yet that he will contest the presidency in the 2022 election, the opposition chief stated that it was necessary to address a few issues before the 2022 contest.

"That is the reason why I decided to work with my brother President Uhuru Kenyatta to ensure we fix the problems facing the country, such us politics of exclusion, negative ethnicity, electoral injustices and corruption," said Odinga.

DP Ruto who has announced that he will be in the 2022 contest Pulse Live Kenya

As part of the strategy, Odinga revealed that Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) was revamping itself ahead of the 2022 General Election with grassroots elections planned for next year.

"I want to ask all the current party officials to know that all the positions will be declared vacant, and we invite those who wish to be elected as new officials to prepare as we conduct the exercise next year.

"I want you to know that we have only one party that belongs to us and the party is ODM. I ask you to continue supporting it,” he said.

Charles Ouma