30 Governors Endorse Raila's Presidential Bid

by Brian Kimani on Monday, 17 January 2022 - 12:45 pm

ODM leader Raila Odinga during the Azimio la Umoja Event at Kasarani on December 10,2021

File

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga has received a massive boost in his Presidential bid after 30 governors endorsed his candidature.

Raila on Monday, January 17, met 26 governors in Naivasha who were in support of his Presidential bid under the Azimio la Umoja movement.

Four other governors sent their apologies but signed the declaration indicating their support for the former Prime Minister.

"This has been a consultative meeting between the governors and the fifth as we assured him of our support and discuss the way forward with regards to the Presidential elections. There were 30 of us present and a couple of us who were absent with apology," Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Mureithi stated.

Delivering the statement from the governors, Mureithi noted that the discussions were based on a number of issues:

Support for devolution- the governors expressed confidence that Raila would carry out and safeguard devolution if elected.

People focused campaign- the governors noted that Raila's campaign is focused on the needs of each region as witnessed in the Azimio la umoja consultative forums.

Peaceful elections- Through the Azimio la umoja movement, the governors pointed out that the ODM leader has shown commitment to peaceful campaign and elections. They affirmed that they are keen to lead Azimio to grassroot mobilizations through peaceful and progressive campaigns.

Future of the Nation- The governors noted that Kenyans would be safe in the hands of Raila as envisioned in the Azimio la Umoja..

"Having had deep deliberations on the future of the country, we hereby endorse Raila Amolo Odinga," Mureithi stated.

HIs sentiments were echoed by his Kitui counterpart, Charity Ngilu, who poked holes into Deputy President William Ruto's campaign bid- noting that he has always opposed the constitution.

"We will go out of our way to ensure Raila Odinga is the president in August. There’s as danger in electing Ruto as the president as he has always opposed the Kenyan constitution," Ngilu noted.

Those who attended the Naivasha meeting are: