Uhuru to lead 10 Azimio parties in jamboree to unveil ODM's Raila

ODM leader Raila Odinga (centre) with Nyandarua Governor Francis Kimemia (right), Water CS Cecily Kariuki and Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui during a recent rally. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

President Uhuru Kenyatta is set to lead at least 10 political parties under the Azimio la Umoja Movement to officially unveil ODM leader Raila Odinga’s candidature in a political jamboree.

In a well-choreographed scheme, strategists around Mr Raila’s presidential bid are working to have parties under the new movement to hold their National Delegates Convention (NDC) around the same time.

The grand plan is to have the ODM leader attend all the meetings for endorsement before the delegates and supporters troop to Nyayo Stadium – where ODM will be having its NDC – for a grand rally.

Uhuru and Raila are expected to formally unveil Azimio La Umoja Coalition Party during the political gathering.

ODM has indicated plans to invite Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and other friendly outfits to the gathering. The disclosure comes amid reports that Kalonzo and his One Kenya Alliance (OKA) could be on their way to Azimio ahead of the August 9 General Election.

Already, Jubilee and ODM have planned for their respective two-day NDC at Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) and Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi, on February 25 and 26.

“Please take notice that a National Delegates Convention shall be held on February 25 and 26 at the Nyayo National Stadium from 9am,” states a notice by ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna.

Yesterday, Jubilee Vice Chairman David Murathe disclosed that there were ongoing discussions to have a joint rally after the planned gatherings to unveil Raila and the nascent coalition.

Mr Murathe said the ODM leader is expected to attend Jubilee NDC at KICC for endorsement by the party delegates.

“We will be having our NDC as Jubilee and we expect our delegates to pass a resolution to support the candidature of Raila Odinga. We expect him to come as a guest of our party leader,” he said.

“Normally, like when we did the last NDC in 2017, the boss (Uhuru) attended all the other NDCs by partner parties. We expect a similar scenario in this case. Other parties will also be doing their NDC around that time,” he added.

Today, Jubilee’s National Management Committee (NMC), National Executive Council and parliamentary leadership have a joint meeting to fine-tune plans for the jamboree that will culminate into the formation of a political juggernaut that will face off with Deputy President William Ruto.

“We have a meeting tomorrow (today) and some of these details will be made clear because there is a proposal to have a joint rally. If it is agreed, we will be happy to launch our campaigns on that day,” added Murathe.

Raila’s presidential campaign board chair Ndiritu Muriithi, who is also Laikipia Governor, said the plan was to have parties under Azimio ratify the decision to join the coalition.

He disclosed that many parties backing the movement were in the process of making the resolution based on their party procedure.