Saturday, during the homecoming party of Migori Women Representative Pamela Odhiambo, Siaya Senator James Orengo declared that NASA leader Raila Odinga will be in the 2022 presidential race, a statement which elicited mixed reactions among Kenyans.
"We have a strategy and it is part of what we are currently witnessing in the country. Raila is visionary, and sees where most of us can't see," Orengo said.
However, in a quick rejoinder, Raila's spokesperson Dennis Onyango downplayed Orengo's statement saying that the ODM leader is not interested in the 2022 presidential contest.
Could the Senate Minority leader's statement be part of the former Prime Minister's mind game? Given Orengo and Raila's long political history, is there any possibility that the Siaya Senator's statement was meant to test the mood on the ground regarding Raila's candidature?
Since the famous Uhuru-Raila handshake meant to unite the country after divisive 2017 election, there have been claims that the ODM leader is planning to make the fifth stab at the presidency. However, he has repeatedly denied the claims saying that his deal with Uhuru has nothing to do with 2022 politics. But Orengo's statement which came in presence of Raila himself could buttress the claims. So is this part of his political game plan? Well, time will tell.