The new role of ODM leader Raila Odinga in government remains a mystery, despite heightened VIP security and protocol in recent months, reports the Nation.

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In his latest trip to Kiambu during launching of Tatu City, Mr Odinga was ushered in by County Commissioner Wilson Wanyanga, a rare occasion for someone who is not in government.

Contrary to his Friday's reception at Kiambu, DP William Ruto toured Nyamira but the provincial administration team led by Amos Mariba snubbed his trip.

But despite Odinga's change of fortunes ever since reconciling with President Uhuru Kenyatta in March 2018, spokesman Dennis Onyango maintains that the former PM is a stranger in government.

Mr Odinga’s spokesman Dennis Onyango maintains the ODM leader “is not an employee of the government”.

According to Mr Onyango, Mr Odinga “is only helping the country get past its bitter divisions and to move forward in line with his agreement with President Kenyatta”.

At Kiambu, Mr Odinga revealed that the president was very much aware of his trip to the Central Kenya region, which has opposed him for ages.

“I bring you greetings from the President. I told him I am coming here. He knows I am here and he sent blessings for this project,” he said.

Despite not getting a chance to speak in Narok on Saturday, Mr Odinga was in company of several security officers, some drawn from GSU. They were seen escorting him out of the field, further raising eyebrows.

Pokot South MP David Pkosing views Mr Odinga’s “hanging around the President” as nursing hopes of being endorsed for presidency in the 2022 polls.

“This is a serious miscalculation because the politics of endorsement has a history of failure in this country.”

But ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna says that Mr Odinga's close association with government is anchored on his handshake with Uhuru Kenyatta.

“Lest we forget, Hon Odinga is AU’s High Representative on Infrastructure and we cannot ignore this fact and fail to consult with a man whose docket means a lot to the rest of Africa simply because he is in a rival political camp.”