While addressing the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party's National Governing Council (NDC) on Friday, February 25, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga disclosed that his confidants often cautioned him against forming a pact with President Uhuru Kenyatta.
He added that his allies further warned him that his bromance with Uhuru would end before the August 9 polls.
Raila addressed the concerns of his allies, who feared that Uhuru will abandon their ODM party leader. According to Raila, the fears emerged after the duo's March 2018 handshake.
The ODM boss, however, appreciated Uhuru stating that he was confident that the Head of State would not change his mind over their partnership.
"During the handshake discussions, we created a memorandum on the basis of what we had discusssed and we shook hands. We then embarked on a journey to bring the country together and Uhuru has never deviated from what we agreed.
"Some people said that Uhuru was cheating me and that he would abandon me. I assured them that he will not. I was certain because we had deep conversations and we agreed that we needed to move our country to greater heights," the ODM boss disclosed.
Raila explained that their union will also last past the August 9 polls, with the former Prime Minister keen on securing Uhuru's legacy.
"When we take over we shall continue with the work that he has started. This bond will not die with the elections. These elections are just going to strengthen it and we shall work together going forward," the ODM boss stated.
At the ODM NGC, Raila further revealed that they would work around the clock to ensure that Azimio la Umoja gets the majority of seats in the August General Election.
He stated individual parties will hold their nominations before a candidate is selected from the pool of nominated leaders to contest against Deputy President William Ruto's faction, Kenya Kwanza Alliance.
The statements by Raila barely come days after Uhuru openly endorsed the former premier as his successor.
While meeting with Mt Kenya leaders at the Sagana State Lodge on February 24, President Kenyatta expressed his condidence in Raila citing that the latter was key in launching and developing projects after the March 2018 handshake.
"What an old man can see sitting a small boy will not see standing on top of a tree. Let's hold the old man's hand and if the other young man (DP Ruto) also reforms at some point in the future, no one will stop anyone from supporting him," Uhuru urged Mt Kenya residents.
