Ford Kenya party Secretary General Eseli Simiyu has weighed in on the heating debate about Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) boss Raila Odinga's 2022 plans.
The leader has since demanded for an apology from the Daily Nation over Sunday's story claiming that he on Saturday, during a burial in Ugenya, declared his 2022 presidential bid.
Speaking on Tuesday, Simiyu said the publication was attempting to force a declaration from Odinga.
However, he expressed doubts on the statement that Raila remains the man to watch in the race, basing it on claims that the leader has to some extent disappointed his former partners.
"ODM under the leadership of Raila has alienated old partners, so I don’t know if the statement that he is the man to watch is true or not," he said on NTV's AM Live.
"What the media is doing is putting Raila in a corner, and calling him to declare a stand.The 'handshake' was a masterstroke. But, who is in charge of the masterstroke?" he added.
Meanwhile, a number of leaders have reacted to the Nation story. On Sunday, Deputy President William Ruto said he is ready to face the former Prime Minister in 2022.