A section of religious leaders from Mount Kenya region has thrown their weight behind the prospect of a Raila Odinga presidency.

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Speaking on Friday in Juja Town, the leaders encouraged the veteran opposition and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader to run for the top seat, saying that they would support him.

Led by Bishop David Kariuki Ngare, they said that Raila Odinga was the only political leader fit to succeed President Uhuru, adding that the ceasefire between the two leaders has brought peace in the country.

"We are seeing that it is good we tell the Kenyan people, especially those from Mount Kenya, that we are very ready for what President Muigai Kenyatta will tell us regarding himself and Raila. I want to tell you, and it is good if this comes from the church, that Kenya is ripe for Raila (Na chenye tunaona ni kwamba ni vizuri tuambie watu wote katika Kenya, na hasa kwa Mlima Kenya, ya kwamba sisi tuko very very ready yenye President Muigai Kenyatta atatuambia kuhusu yeye na Raila. Na nataka kuambia, na sauti hii ni vizuri ikitoka hapa kanisani, Kenya is ripe for Raila)," said Bishop Ngare.

The sentiments of the religious leaders will add to speculation that Central Kenya may not fully back Deputy President Dr William Ruto's 2022 presidential bid.

Since the handshake in 2018, Raila's appeal in Central Kenya has grown as the region sheds its historical hostility to the ODM party leader.