Businessman Jimi Wanjigi has announced Willis Otieno, former head of Raila Odinga’s presidential campaign, as his presidential running mate in the August 9 elections on the Safina Party ticket.
Otieno, a lawyer by training, oversaw presidential hopeful Raila’s campaign under the National Super Alliance (Nasa) ahead of the 2017 elections.
Unveiling his running mate on Tuesday at Ufungamano House, Wanjigi said Otieno was an easy pick adding that it was time for the country’s youth to take charge.
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“It is the time for young people to stand up and be counted. It’s your time to lead.
“I unveil my wonderful running mate, a great son of this soil, a great young man, a diligent professional and a great friend, my young brother Willis Otieno,” said the tycoon.
Wanjigi, who backed the former prime minister’s presidential bid in 2017, said he and Otieno were now looking to steer the country forward so as to fulfil a commitment made five years ago.
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In his acceptance speech, the advocate said: “I fearlessly and courageously accept the nomination to be the running mate of Jimi Wanjigi.”
Otieno, 39, hails from Masumbi village, Ng’iya in Alego Usonga constituency. His background, he said, was an indication that everything is possible.
“I trace my journey as a journey of faith. That shows everything is possible and there is an opportunity for young person in this country.
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“I could have chosen the easy way out and say let me stay in my profession, let me continue enjoying the little that I have made as a lawyer, but what about my neighbour who has gone to sleep hungry, that young man who is dying because he is not able to pay for his health care?” he posed.
He recalled that their dream of taking Kenyans to the proverbial “Canaan” back in 2017 had not been realized, and that now was the time to do so.
“We’ve been through a lot and in the last campaigns we worked closely together and promised Kenyans we would go to Canaan.
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“What was Canaan? It was economic empowerment of our people and not a false promise. It was about how to have a conversation that includes majority of our people but this never came to pass. We must fulfil this dream,” Otieno said.
Otieno is passionate about socio- economic rights and community empowerment. He is the current managing partner at Otieno Ogola Advocates.
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