Dagoretti North lawmaker Simba Arati has declared interest in the leadership of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.
Speaking on Wednesday, the youthful parliamentarian noted that he will be seeking to succeed opposition leader Raila Odinga who currently leads the bloc.
He added that he will always be around, and us ready and willing to rake over and steer it to success upon the retirement of Raila.
He added that he will not decamp from the party even if all the remaining members leave, considering that the party has been losing members to the ruling Jubilee Party lately.
"Mimi niko ODM ndani kabisa hata watu wote wahame na hara nataka siku moja niwe party leader. Niko pale ndani kabisa, kwa hivyo ninaposema kitu watu wajue siongei tu.
(I am in ODM to stay, and will not move out even if I remain alone in the party. I m aspiring to lead the party some day. I am well inside the party so I speak with authority)," he said.
The parliamentarian was speaking on Radio Jambo's Mazungumzo Waziwazi on Wednesday evening.
He called for calm among party supporters with regards to its recent losses in Ugenya and Embakasi East by-elections, noting that the defeats should not be taken seriously.
Arati said that the party is not losing its grip on the nation, and is actually working on a re-branding strategy that will make it stronger than it has ever been.
He claimed that plans are in place to make it bigger and stronger, ahead of the 2022 general elections.
"Watu wetu wasiwe na wasiwasi maana rebranding inakuja na tutaweka hata watu wa Central na Rift Valley ndani.
(Let our supporters relax because we will soon be rebranding and will even include the Rift Valley and Central Kenya region in our party)," he added.
The party last enjoyed the support of the Rift Valley region in 2007 under Deputy President William Ruto, but has never enjoyed the Mt Kenya backing.
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