Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki reveals he has made up his mind in supporting Raila Odinga to be president, after initially being torn on whether to support the ODM leader or Deputy President William Ruto in 2022.
”I have been torn between supporting Ruto & Raila, but according to several rallies I have addressed here in Tharaka Nithi, the narrative has changed. Time has come to join the winning team I can bravely opine that Odinga is the next president” the Tharaka Nithi Governor said on Sunday.
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This brings the number of Mt Kenya governors who have publicly declared their support for the former prime minister’s presidential bid to five. Others are Dr. Francis Kimemia (Nyandarua), Lee Kinyanjui (Nakuru), Nderitu Mureithi (Laikipia) and Dr. James Nyoro (Kiambu).
Apart from the five governors, a host of Jubilee MPs from the Kilelweke wing of the ruling party have also joined the ODM leader’s camp.
Speaking in Subukia on Sunday, Raila hit back at rivals over claims that President Uhuru Kenyatta’s political backyard had turned into his deputy William Ruto’s stronghold and as such he was not at liberty to move in and out of the region as he wishes.
“I don’t need anyone’s permission to climb Mt Kenya. I want to remind them I scaled Mt Kenya many years ago. Some have forgotten that I was here and I said Kibaki Tosha, campaigned for him and he won the elections (in 2002). Back then I used to be referred to as Mutongoria Njamba (Kingpin),” Raila told a roadside gathering in Subukia.
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The opposition leader rallied the residents to back his Azimio la Umoja campaign which he seeks to use as a vehicle to deepen cohesion in the country. He says this will provide a strong foundation with which to catapult Kenya to economic success.
“Time for the third liberation has come. The first one brought independence, the second one – new constitution, and the third will be economic liberation,” he said.