Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga is the defacto Prime Minister of Republic of Kenya, political analyst and university lecturer Prof Egara Kabaji has said.
He says that looking at the privileges the former Premier is currently enjoying from the government, it is clear that he holds a very high state position in the government.
He spoke in reference to the heavy security Raila has been basking in lately, which he says portrays Raila as a state official working right under President Uhuru Kenyatta.
"The answer is obvious, Raila is the defacto Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya. His security matches that of a Prime Minister working for the president," he said in an interview with Citizen TV.
The Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology don linked Raila's newfound powers to his full involvement in the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) push, also backed by Uhuru.
According to him, Uhuru and his inner circle are seeing Raila as the best man to help them make the BBI a success, and Raila is getting the privileges he is currently enjoying in return.
"The president and his inner circle are convinced that the best way of securing the future of this country is through the BBI and because Raila is pushing for that agenda, he becomes the de facto Prime Minister," he added.
Raila's new heavy security detail was witnessed at the BBI forum in Kakamega on Saturday, where he arrived in a convoy of vehicles, complete with police sirens.
He was also ushered in and out of the event venue by top police bosses in blue uniforms.
He was also treated to a 50-meter red carpet when he arrived at the Bukhungu Stadium.