Raila: I have met Uhuru in plan to revamp Azimio

ODM leader Raila Odinga speaks after a church service at the ACK Memorial Cathedral in Mombasa on January 8, 2022. [File, Standard]

Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Alliance leader Raila Odinga on Monday said he met former president Uhuru Kenyatta in Mombasa three times to discuss alliance matters.

He rubbished claims that Uhuru had dumped him.

Raila said Uhuru was still active in Azimio and committed to energising the party.

"Those claiming President Uhuru had dumped me are talking rubbish. I have been meeting the former president on several occasions. We even met while both of us are on holiday in Mombasa," he said.

On Sunday, speaking after attending a church service at the ACK Memorial Cathedral, Raila said Uhuru has assured him of his firm stay in Azimio.

He said they talked about the high cost of living in the country, as well as how putting food on the table has become a nightmare for many people who cannot afford a three-square meal.

Re-energised

Raila reaffirmed Uhuru's commitment to Azimio la Umoja One Kenya, assuring supporters that the coalition parties would be re-energised to counter the lies spread by their opponents.

"Former President Uhuru Kenyatta is fully committed to Azimio, and those who believe Uhuru has abandoned the coalition are in for a rude awakening," Raila said.

Uhuru arrived in Mombasa over the weekend and had a private lunch with his family in Mtwapa on Saturday.

Raila, who has been in Mombasa for four days, met with his ODM party delegates on Friday, and the party leaders declared that he was still their candidate in the 2027 general election.

Raila told the meeting that he was still fit to be on the ballot in 2027 and assured supporters that there would be many political activities to popularise Azimio constituent parties before then.

Raila's political hardliners, led by Changamwe MP Omar Mwinyi, advised him not to give up just because he was denied the country's leadership.

Mwinyi, a Raila supporter for the past two decades, sparked the debate when he told Raila not to give up.

In response, Raila, who was accompanied by five ODM MPs and 23 MCAs from Mombasa county, asked the delegates at Tononoka Hall, "Am I not strong and capable of leading?" Raila asked. The crowd responded positively. Mwinyi said Raila was still fit to run for president and he was the only leader who can provide an alternative agenda and unite Azimio ahead of 2027.