President Uhuru To Campaign for Raila in Mt Kenya Starting June – Allies

Allies of President Uhuru Kenyatta have confirmed that the president will campaign for ODM leader Raila Odinga starting June.

According to reports, the president will commission projects in the Mt Kenya region while simultaneously wooing supporters to support Raila and his running mate, Martha Karua.

Kanini Kega, Kieni MP and Jubilee Director of Elections, told the Nation that Uhuru will campaign in the vote-rich region in June and July.

He stated that the head of state’s campaign schedule will be released in due time, despite the fact that the tour will take place after the Madaraka Day celebrations.

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According to Kega, the tour will begin in Nyeri before moving on to the rest of Mt Kenya counties.

“His countrywide campaigns will start with the mountain. We do not just want him to the campaign. The President will also commission projects,” Kega said as quoted by the daily.

“President Kenyatta will also show us which direction to take. It is obvious Mt Kenya is with Karua. She is the person we will oscillate around when the boss leaves the office.”

After his trip to Switzerland, the President will meet with a number of Mt Kenya leaders to prepare for his visit.

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Gatanga MP Joseph Nduati told the daily that the meeting had already been announced.

Officials close to Uhuru are alleged to have previously stated that the President will not be participating in political campaigns.

The Kenya Kwanza Alliance led by Deputy President William Ruto welcomed the report terming it a “wise move”.

“I have heard the President saying he will not be on the ground to campaign for Raila. I had started asking myself how I will take on him because he is our president and we respect him. Keeping off from campaign will now mean we will not  disrespect the president,” said the DP.

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Earlier on in the week, Jubilee vice chairman David Murathe said the outgoing president would slow down campaigning to let Raila define his own campaign path.

“Uhuru has set the ball rolling. Everything is in place, but the President will not be on the ground to campaign. His absence during the unveiling of Raila’s running mate does not speak to issues in Azimio, but was calculated to have the aspirant run his campaign,” said Murathe.

He claimed that President Uhuru will handle the show from behind the scenes, and that the Jubilee Party machinery has been released to campaign for Raila.

Uhuru stated in April that when the time comes, he will be on the ground to help the Azimio presidential candidate, particularly in the Mt Kenya region.

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On April 14, the President lashed out at people opposed to his role in succession politics while speaking to parishioners at the African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa in Kandara, Murang’a County.

“There are those who think I would not be on the campaign trail. They should hold their horses. They will see me traversing the country telling the people my truth, where do they think they can take me? I am also a Kenyan and have my democratic rights,” he said.