Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga is likely to contest for presidency in 2022 despite growing pressure on him to quit active politics.
The former Prime Minister has four times unsuccessfully contested for the top seat.
Raila however seems not to be giving up and is most likely to be on the ballot in 2022 if statements from his political allies are anything to go by.
According to political pundits, it is too early to ask Raila to quit active politics.
With the 2022 succession politics, alignment's, endorsements and partnerships taking shape, here are the five reasons why Raila will be on the presidential ballot in 2022.
1. Popularity :
The former Prime Minister is among the most popular politician’s in the country’s history.
He controls a huge following with key regions among them the Coast, Western, Nyanza and Nairobi 100 per cent backing his presidential bid in the four times he has tried to be president.
2. Father of Democracy and reforms:
He is considered as the ‘father’ of democracy and constitutional reforms.
Throughout his political career, the former Prime Minister has campaigned, advocated and championed for political and human rights reforms.
A human rights defender, Raila is currently pushing the government on the need for electoral reforms, end to police brutality, electoral fraud and impunity.
3. ‘Young’ to quit politics
At 73 years, the former prime Minister says that he is still young to quit politics.
The former Prime Minister’s political allies argue that most African leaders have ascended to power in there 70’s or even 80’s and that Odinga is still young.
The ODM leader has been quoted saying that he is not quitting now even as there are attempts to change age limit for presidential aspirants in what political analysts term as plot to lock Odinga out of 2022.
4. ‘Canaan’ promise
In the run to the 2017 general election, Odinga promised his supporters to take them to ‘Canaan’.
The former Prime Minister in his campaigns used the ‘Canaan’ slogan to reach out to supporters.
He however lost last year’s general election and is likely to contest in 2022 in order to fulfil the ‘Canaan’ promise he made to his supporters.
5. Presidency not a preserve of two communities :
Since the country attained independence, only two tribes (Kalenjins and Kikuyu’s) have held the presidential seat.
Raila in his previous campaigns has been saying that the presidency should not be treated as a preserve for two communities, adding that it is time other communities are given a chance.
Several politicians have been advocating for regional presidency in order to ensure every community gets a taste of top leadership.
It is basing on this that Raila is likely to contest again in 2022 with the hope of ascending top power.
Political analysts argue that 2022 will be the most competitive election if Raila will on the ballot.
Other top politicians who have declared interest in the top seat are Deputy President William Ruto, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Baringo senator Gideon Moi, Mombasa governor Hassan Joho, his Machakos counterpart Alfred Mutua among others.