National Super Alliance (NASA) leader Raila Odinga has distanced himself from claims that he will be vying for the presidency against Deputy President William Ruto in 2022.
In a statement sent to newsrooms by his spokesman Dennis Onyango, Raila maintained he was not interested in 2022 politics only a day after Siaya Senator James Orengo hinted that the former Prime Minister could take another shot at the presidency.
“His efforts are currently directed at the building bridges initiative and the determination that he (Raila) and President Uhuru Kenyatta are engaged in to bring the country together and heal the ills that have afflicted it throughout the years,” the statement read in part.
The former Prime Minister further maintained that those fueling that motion were doing so in an individual capacity adding that their views should be treated as such.
[caption caption="NASA leader Raila Odinga"]
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“The views ought to be seen in the same light with those of COTU Secretary General Mr Francis Atwoli who, on May 1, asked for what he called a soft-landing for President Kenyatta after the President’s term ends. the COTU leader was certainly not speaking for the President,” the statement added.
The opposition chief further appealed to Kenyans to stay focused on the agenda ahead of them, that of fostering peace and unity contained in the building bridges initiative.
Last week, a committee of 14 advisors was appointed by President Kenyatta and the opposition leader to steer national dialogue under the ‘Building Bridges initiative’.
On Saturday Senator James Orengo who is a close ally to Raila maintained that ODM will field the opposition leader as its presidential candidate in 2022.
Orengo, who spoke in Migori County in the presence of Raila and several other ODM governors, senators and MPs, noted that the NASA leader was still in the country’s political big league.
[caption caption="NASA leader Raila Odinga with Siaya Senator James Orengo"]
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“Some people are stating that Raila should retire, but we firmly believe he has not accomplished his goal,” Orengo stated at the homecoming ceremony for Migori Woman Representative Pamela Odhiambo.
