ODM leader Raila Odinga has revealed the role President Uhuru Kenyatta will play in his government if he wins the 2022 Presidential election.
Speaking during an interview with BBC’s Sophie Ikenye, on Tuesday, March 15, Odinga stated that although Uhuru will be retiring in August when he completes his second and final term, he will still have a role to play in the Kenyan political space.
The Azimio La Umoja Presidential aspirant revealed that President Kenyatta will be given responsibilities by his government post-2022, such as foreign diplomacy and even having a hand in as an economic advisor.
“Yes, he will be an advisor just as I have done in his government. He can also focus on helping us with advice on the economy and he can take up roles such as mine in foreign diplomacy. There are any roles President Kenyatta can do after his retirement,” Odinga remarked.
This confirmation by Raila comes after Jubilee leaders, during their Parliamentary Group (PG) meeting held at State House, on February, 4, agreed that Uhuru was crucial to the party’s administration prior to and after the power transition.
They thus decided that Uhuru will continue serving in his capacity as the party leader after his term as president ends.
A statement by the party after the meeting indicated that the Jubilee Parliamentarians had agreed to partner with “like-minded individuals” who can further Kenyatta’s legacy.
Uhuru was also given powers to negotiate on behalf of the party with leaders who share similar ideologies and lead Jubilee into signing coalition agreements before the August polls.
“The Jubilee Party will seek to get into a coalition with like-minded parties and support a Presidential Candidate with whom we share common ideals, who will treat us with respect, and with whom we can form the next government as an ‘Anchor Partner’, to continue with the work done during the last 10 years,” read part of the statement.
President Uhuru has been vocal and open in his support for Odinga in the 2022 Presidential poll and the ODM leader, during the BBC interview in London stated that he was ready to succeed Kenyatta.
Raila also told off Deputy President William Ruto over alleged plans to set up a parallel tallying centre for the August 9, elections.
ODM leader Raila Odinga during an interview with BBC’s Sophie Ikenye, on Tuesday, March 15, 2022.
ODM leader Raila Odinga during an interview with BBC’s Sophie Ikenye, on Tuesday, March 15, 2022.COURTESY
This is after reports claimed that the DP’s team was going to set up a tallying centre in order to guard his votes. During his recent tour of the UK, Dr Ruto alleged that the credibility of Kenya’s electoral system was under threat.
He claimed that the ruling class wanted to install a puppet president, referring to Odinga. However, Raila stated that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) was an independent organization that was not influenced by the government. He also accused Ruto of speaking from both sides of his mouth.
