NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 26- President Uhuru Kenyatta has expressed optimism that the Azimio Coalition, whose party Jubilee is a member, will form the next government.
The majority of the coalition members are supporting former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to fly the presidential flag off, and face off with Deputy President William Ruto.
The President spoke during the Orange Democratic Movement National Delegates Conference held within Kasarani stadium.
“I am optimistic that the victory shall be ours,” the President, who has made it clear that he will be campaigning for Odinga said.
“I am here not because of Raila the politician but the leader.”
Earlier, the two were attended the Jubilee NDC, which approved among other things to go into the next election under the Azimio Coalition.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka attended the Jubilee NDC but skipped that of ODM.
The two are in high-gear negotiations, that will see a presidential candidate declared in two weeks.
Odinga’s candidature was on Saturday approved during the ODM NDC.
Speaking during the event, the ODM leader said he was ready to steer the country forward, from where President Kenyatta has left.
Odinga also spoke of what led to their handshake with the President, after a heated electioneering period in 2017, that saw tens of his supporters killed during protests.
“We are no longer deferring the quest for unity to our children. Neither are we deferring the turbulence and the pain of divisions to the next generation. We are fixing things now,” he said.
“Take a look around you, wherever you are seated, or wherever you are watching this from. Chances are that next to you or in the crowd, is someone you once swore you would never sit together with, discuss politics with or support a similar cause with. But we are all together now.”
The former Prime Minister hailed the President for supporting his candidature, saying, “he believes it is in the best interest of the country. Kenya is changing and uniting one handshake at a time.”
Quoting Abraham Lincoln, he said, “Whoever can wait for it can see it; whoever stands in the way will be run over by it.”
“What we are going through today, what we have witnessed in recent days, and what shall be happening in the coming days is a clear demonstration that the often undeclared but often raging uncivil war between our communities, political parties, leaders and regions can end if we choose to do so. We have evidence before us that politics does not have to burn our country.”
He added that “We have evidence before us that the feelings of helplessness, impotence, fear, loathing, dread and panic that often grip this country because of politics can be countered and reversed to give way to genuine and sustainable recovery.”
“So much can change in so short a time when actors in a critical theatre-like politics agree to unclench their fists, shake each other’s hands, and share their hopes, fears and aspirations for the nation.”
Already, all Governors from the Ukambani region have thrown their support behind Odinga.
They are Dr. Alfred Mutua of Maendeleo Chap Chap, Charity Ngilu of Narc Kenya and Kivutha Kibwana of Muungano Party.
Others leaders present included KANU leader Gideon Moi.
Want to send us a story? Contact Shahidi News Tel: +254115512797 (Mobile & WhatsApp)
