Governor Lee Kinyanjui Reveals Mt Kenya Demands to Raila

ODM Raila Odinga Arriving at a Meeting Hosted by Mt Kenya Foundation on Tuesday September 28
ODM Raila Odinga Arriving at a Meeting Hosted by Mt Kenya Foundation on Tuesday, September 28
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Nakuru Governor, Lee Kinyanjui, has revealed the list of demands issued to Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader, Raila Odinga, by Mt Kenya leaders in reciprocation of their support for him.

Speaking during an interview at a local TV station on Tuesday, September 28, the day Raila met Mt Kenya Foundation leaders, Kinyanjui made it clear that the mountain region will only work with Raila if he honours the demands tabled.

On the top of the demands listed by the Mt Kenya leaders is that the ODM leader picks his running mate from the region. Governor Kinyanjui insisted that the position of the Deputy President is an irreducible minimum.

Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui speaking during the burial of musician Mighty Salim in Nakuru
Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui speaking during the burial of musician Mighty Salim in Nakuru
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Other than the DP post, the first-time governor stated that the Mt Kenya region is also demanding that the former Prime Minister guarantees them of powerful positions that will continue to champion for the interests of the region in his government.

"On the issue of a running mate, the region has for a very long time, had top seats. So for this time not to be at the top, the least, he could give them is a running mate. Beyond that, there are also other critical positions including ministries, parastatals among other positions. Ideally, we would not be asking more than what is due to us," Kinyanjui remarked.

The outspoken Governor revealed that the change of heart by the Mt Kenya region to back Raila's quest for presidency is due to his goodwill to work with the vote-rich region.

He maintained that Raila, through his partnership with President Uhuru Kenyatta, has assured a conducive environment for the business community.

Governor Kinyanjui stated that Raila has supported the region since the handshake and through the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI)  and other legislations, proving that he has the interests of the region at heart.

On the irreducible minimums, Kinyanjui said that the guarantee of the Deputy President post will see the region endorse Raila's presidency.

"We are a business community and we want business stability. Whoever guarantees that is somebody we will want to support."

He added that the notion of Raila's candidacy is hard to sell in the Mt Kenya region is no longer applicable.

"I think that our people are cognizant of the fact that times change and people change. Nobody is impossible to sell in any region as long as the narrative is suitable," he stated.

His sentiments come just a day after Royal Media Services Chairman, S.K. Macharia said that the gains envisaged through the handshake should not go to waste.

He told the business leader that they should champion for the handshake to continue beyond 2022.

“Without President Uhuru Kenyatta there would be no handshake. We salute him for that. We ask him to leave that handshake to good hands so that it can continue,” said Macharia.

"We believe President Uhuru Kenyatta will leave this country in good hands, the hand he went to look for to shake hands."

Citizen TV owner SK Macharia during a past address.
Media owner and billionaire SK Macharia
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