Siaya Senator James Orengo has said that according to the recent statements the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) could field Raila Odinga as its candidate and this should not derail the ongoing dialogue process.
Orengo also said that the calls were his personal opinions which were meant to evoke a debate on the race for 2022 presidential elections which are already taking shape across the country.
He mentioned that the ongoing process of dialogue which began after the handshake between his party leader Raila and president Uhuru Kenyatta was not anchored on the issues of the 2022 general elections.
Mr. Orengo told journalists in Kisumu that he believes that Raila too should also contest for the seat in 2022. Orengo told residents of Migori over the weekend that the ODM leader was still in the country’s political big league and was the best bet to carry the party’s flag in 2022.
Raila through his spokesman Denis Onyango distanced himself from the statements by Orengo saying that he was mainly focused on uniting Kenyans and bringing about reforms through his rapprochement with President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Raila also appealed to Kenyans to put aside any form of political distraction and instead focus on the key agenda he and Uhuru had set in the ‘Building Bridges’ project.
Orengo, however, did yesterday say that his statement was a personal opinion adding that it has also provoked politicians who are also eyeing the 2022 seat.
The senator said that there was no conflict between his statement and the stand of the National Super Alliance Coalition (Nasa).
His comments come when several people have expressed interest for the presidency including Raila’s two deputies in ODM governors Hassan Joho(Mombasa) and Wycliffe Oparanya(Kakamega).