A night meeting by President Uhuru Kenyatta in Kisumu where plans to back Raila Odinga in 2022 were mooted has become a subject of discussion within political circles.
The meeting was held at Kisumu State Lodge on Thursday night and was attended by Raila, Nyanza leaders and elders only.
Sources present at the meeting said the curtain on 2022 politics was raised by vocal Siaya Senator James Orengo.
Orengo, sources said, faced President Uhuru and asked him to ‘hand over the baton in the spirit of the handshake’.
"We would be happy if your Excellency considers offering your support for Mr Odinga to continue with your March 9 peace deal of uniting the country and enhancing good governance," Orengo reportedly said.
Leaders present said it was time for the region to start working with Mt Kenya region as ‘friends’.
The meeting was held in the absence of Deputy President William Ruto, who despite being with the leaders during the day, it was not clear why he was not invited into the meeting.
The head of state is said to have been cagey in responding to the 2022 request.
"Ndugu zangu na dada zangu mimi sina shida na mtu yeyote bora tu mkubali tufanye kazi pamoja basi tugange yajayo (My brothers and sisters, I have no issues will your suggestion but let work together and see what the future has)," the President said.
President Uhuru launched the pilot phase of the Universal Health Coverage Program in Mamboleo.
The program is being implemented in Kisumu, Nyeri, Isiolo and Machakos counties before being rolled out in the other 43 counties.
To benefit from the program one needs to register in the said counties and issued with a UHC card which will enable one free health services within that county.
The pilot program will go for six months before the government launches the program to the other 43 counties.