President Uhuru Kenyatta's influence was manifested in different ways during Raila Odinga's Azimio la Umoja National Convention held at Kasarani Stadium on Friday, December 10.
Although the Head of State missed the event due to other government engagements, gracing Tanzania's Independence Day Celebration, his hand in the success of the event was so conspicuous.
The presence of his inner circle at the international stadium that has a sitting capacity of over 60,000 people, spoke volumes about his endorsement of former Prime Minister.
Among the top individuals who are close to Uhuru who attended the event included a number of Cabinet Secretaries led by Agriculture's Peter Munya, who assured the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader of their support ahead of the 2022 General Election. Others included ICT CS Joe Mucheru, Defense CS Eugene Wamalwa, and Water CS Sicily Kariuki.
Jubilee's top leadership also attended the event. The ruling party's Vice Chair, David Murathe, leading the camp maintained that he is the one who prepared the African High Representative for Infrastructure for the presidency. Jubilee Secretary General, Raphael Tuju, also made his way to the much-hyped event.
Their bold pronunciations endorsing Raila reflected Uhuru's choice of his successor in the August 2022 Presidential election.
"I am the one who made the announcement that Raila Odinga would become the 5th President of the Republic of Kenya. Has it not been manifested?" Murathe posed.
Uhuru's friend, Samuel Kamau Macharia, owner of Royal Media Services, also graced the event endorsing Raila to take a stab at the country's top seat.
He described the former Prime Minister as a person who had lived a life of selfless struggle for a better Kenya. He further went on to make it clear that his decision to support Raila is completely independent of his businesses.
"I am exercising my personal constitutional right to political participation as a responsible and free citizen. My political views and preferences are completely independent of my businesses which are managed by impartial and competent professionals."
SK further alluded to Uhuru's recent speech where he stated that leadership is not about sprinting but a marathon to drum support for the former Prime Minister.
“With all due respect, some high speeds will have you fall. Leadership is not a game. It is not a sprint but a marathon. You will sprint and run out of breath along the way. The old ones will come and overtake you,” Uhuru stated while handing over Nakuru City charter to Governor Lee Kinyanjui.
The Mt Kenya region, which is Uhuru's backyard, was also represented in the event. Chairperson of the Council of Governors, Martin Wambora, led that camp to Kasarani. The National Assembly Majority Leader, Amos Kimunya, also assured Raila of the region's support.
Other political leaders from the mountain who attended to support Raila included Murang'a Woman Representative. Sabina Chege, and Kieni MP Kanini Kega among others.
Other influential figures who made appearances at that event included COTU Secretary General, Francis Atwoli, and Richard Ngatia, the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) chairperson. Their messages assured Raila of the government's readiness to collaborate with him if he ascends to power.
"This is a promise that when you (Raila Odinga) become President, the private sector will work with you," Ngatia stated. Atwoli on his part said: " We will support you (Raila Odinga) because we know that you will protect jobs."
Uhuru, who according to most political pundits is backing Raila's presidency, further dominated the event with a number of video clips that were played on the big screens mounted in different parts of the country showing various instances he appeared to support the ODM leader.
The height of the event came after Raila officially declared his candidature detailing his 10 point people's programme. Some of his plans include the Inua Jamii, Pesa Mfukoni. This is a social protection programme that will deliver Ksh6,000 per month to two million people of the country’s most needy families, ‘BabaCare’: that will scale up Universal Health Care pilot programmes to the rest of the country. This is a continuation of Uhuru's Big Four Agenda under the Universal Health Care Programme.
