Amid claims of a looming political deal between President Uhuru Kenyatta and ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi ahead of the 2022 general election, is ODM party boss Raila Odinga headed to hard political times?
On Saturday, Lugari MP Ayub Savula, in a press conference in Kakamega claimed that the President and Mudavadi are in talks to enter into a political alliance in readiness for the next poll with the lawmaker indicating that the former Vice President is Uhuru's preferred successor.
With Uhuru already in another political deal with Raila in the form of "handshake" that birthed the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), is Savula's statement a threat to Uhuru-Raila unity and BBI in general?
Raila has never come out clean to declare his interest in the presidential seat come the next poll. His opponents and rivals alike have been left guessing on his next move.
The ODM leader has always maintained that he is keen on uniting the country through the BBI. However, others have argued that BBI is his political vehicle to State House. Whatever the case, the truth will be known at the right time.
However, on Saturday, while attending a funeral in Siaya County, together with Raila, Senator James Orengo claimed that Kenyans are yearning for Odinga presidency through the BBI. But when he rose to speak, Raila kept off the 2022 presidential election subject.
If Orengo and Savula's separate statements are anything go by, will Raila-Uhuru unity stand the test of time? And if the President goes ahead to back Mudavadi as his successor, what next for the former Prime Minister?
Well, Savula and Orengo's statements may set the tone for 2022 Uhuru succession race; and maybe, the next few months will be messy, noisy and with casualties.
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