BY MWANAHABARI REPORTER
Prime Minister Raila Odinga has received yet another mark of approval from Kieni MP Kanini Kega.
Kanini – a staunch supporter of Odinga’s Azimio La Umoja – has opened up about how he used to peddle lies about Odinga – painting him as an unsuitable leader.
Kanini who considers Odinga as a different man, a good man who deserves a chance to lead Kenya, publicly took back his words while speaking with Nation.
The MP who was once a chief opposer of Odinga, said he regrets peddling untruths against the ODM leader in the run up to the controversial 2017 elections.
Kanini said: “Through my interactions with him, I have come to realise he is an honest politician and person. This is unlike the lies we peddled against him, something I am guilty about.”
Kega said he believes that Odinga was best suited to take over the leadership mantle from President Uhuru Kenyatta when he leaves the office in the next few months.
Kanini’s sentiments have no doubt added more impetus to the race which is fast taking shape right at the foot of Mt Kenya.
It is important to note that Odinga has received never before seen support from Mt Kenya – a region that has largely avoided voting for him.
The MP predicted a 70% popularity for Odinga in Mt Kenya region by the time Kenya goes to election in August.
“We started the journey with Raila to climb the mountain we were at a 5% acceptance rate and now we are at 40% or 45% in some areas with the lowest being 30%,” noted Kanini.
It will be remembered that Odinga garnered over 5 million votes in the first round of the 2017 elections – that was without the support of the people of Mt Kenya.
Political pundits believe that with Mt Kenya warming towards Odinga, the 2022 presidential elections could be his to lose.
This is no doubt bad news for DP William Ruto – who according to Kanini – will never receive the support of President Uhuru Kenyatta since their relationship cannot be mended.
Kanini’s sentiments come just days after Uhuru publicly endorsed Odinga for the presidency while meeting over 85 Jubilee Party legislators.
Uhuru also made it clear that the running mate position will be reserved for the people of Kenya Kenya.