Orange Democratic Movement party leader Raila Odinga’s visit to Chebara area in Elgeyo Marakwet county on Sunday is a tour that should not be ignored by any political observer or anyone closely following the 2022 State House race.
Elgeyo Marakwet forms part of the larger North Rift region where Deputy President William Ruto enjoys massive support.
During the visit, Raila who was accompanied by his strong allies was hosted by governor Alex Tolgos and DP Ruto’s top critic from the North Rift region Joshua Kutuny.
Tolgos and Ruto’s cold political relationship might have played a major role in Raila’s visit to the county that is also home to Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, a staunch follower of Ruto.
This was Raila’s first visit to the region after the famous 2018 handshake with President Uhuru Kenyatta, a move which intensified the rivalry between him (Raila) and Ruto who has always questioned the motive behind the handshake.
During the visit, it was evident that Raila and his allies received a warm welcome at their rival’s stronghold due to the presence of Kutuny and governor Tolgos. Raila made a promise to come back in the company of President Kenyatta.
In my opinion, Raila is plotting to use Ruto’s critics in the region including Kutuny and Tolgos to penetrate into the region which voted in favour of Jubilee government in 2013 and 2017 general elections.
Although Raila has not declared his presidential ambitions, he is likely to use these two leaders to politically redeem himself if at all he will be in the presidential ballot in 2022.
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