THE HIDDEN HAND OF THE GOVERNMENT appears to be campaigning for ODM leader Raila Odinga. Although Mr Odinga has maintained that he is not a government project, his campaign has been backed by government officials and allies of President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Unlike Deputy President William Ruto who has been using lawmakers and councilors to infiltrate various parts of the country to seek votes, Mr Odinga uses governors, ministers and other government officials.
Dr Ruto is backed by only two governors outside his stronghold – the Rift Valley region – namely Mr Okoth Obado (Migori) and Ms Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga) who announced his resignation from Jubilee and joined the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party. of Dr. Ruto.
Mr Odinga is backed by more than half of the country’s 47 county governors, some of whom are in President Uhuru Kenyatta’s constituency. , James Nyoro (Kiambu), Mutahi Kahiga (Nyeri), Lee Kinyanjui (Nakuru), Kiraitu Murungi (Meru), Martin Wambora (Embu) and Muthomi Njuki (Tharaka Nithi).
The governors are the main allies of President Kenyatta. In the Ukambani area, Mr Odinga is backed by all three governors; Ms Charity Ngilu (Kitui), Prof Kivutha Kibwana (Makueni) and Dr Alfred Mutua (Machakos).
“Governors support Raila Odinga because they have been told that if they support Dr Ruto they will be prosecuted,” said Mr Nimrod Mbai, a Member of Parliament for Kitui East.
Dr Ruto’s allegations appear to have been sparked by fears that the governors’ influence in their counties could go a long way in getting Mr Odinga more votes in the next general election.
Ministers Sicily Kariuki (Water), Joe Mucheru (Technology and Communications – ICT), Fred Matiang ‘i (Security), Peter Munya (Agriculture), John Munyes (Mining), Eugine Wamalwa (Defense) and Margaret Kobia (Public Service) are among the ministers who have openly declared their support for Mr Odinga.
However, Mr Odinga on Thursday dismissed allegations that he was a ‘project’ for President Kenyatta. “When I hear that claim, I laugh a lot. Even President Kenyatta laughs when he hears that I am his project. I am a Kenyan project, “he said.
Mr Samuel Kamau Macharia, popularly known as SK, a member of the Mount Kenya Foundation, has been using his resources to promote Mr Odinga.
MKF factions have been tasked by President Uhuru Kenyatta to hold talks with smaller parties to persuade them to support Mr Odinga.
The MKF factions also continue their efforts to persuade the leaders of the One Kenya Alliance (OKA) to support the ODM leader.
Mr Odinga on Thursday acknowledged that talks between him and OKA officials were ongoing.
