Although Raila and President Uhuru have continuously refuted claims that the pact is working towards a 2022 formation, his close confidants especially Senator James Orengo have backed them for the top seat.
There is also a section of leaders from Nyanza region that has been mulling Raila-Gideon Moi presidential ticket.
Although the duo has not formed an alliance, Baringo Senator Moi, while on a tour of South Nyanza in October, gave the clearest indication yet of a planned partnership with Raila when he asked residents to give them time to plan how to complete the journey to ‘Canaan’.
“After the ‘handshake’, Raila and I are one thing. His friendship with my father will continue. We will walk together and lay a road map to Canaan,” said Moi.
Raila, who is the High Representative for Infrastructure Development for the African Union left the country for China to seek and to promote practical international co-operation in the areas of roads, railways, ports, maritime and inland water transport, aviation, energy, fibre optics and information and communication technology.
At the same time, Raila will join President Uhuru Kenyatta, who traveled to China on Monday, in negotiating a Sh368 billion loan to build the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).
The Jubilee administration is seeking funds to extend the railway line to Naivasha, then to Kisumu and subsequently Uganda to ease trade within the region.
However, online Political pundits have it that Uhuru is on a mission to introduce his successor to his creditors.
Kenyatta by taking Raila with him, he probably wanted to send some message to Ruto’s and Raila’s supporters.— El-Macho (@ojdann) April 25, 2019
…or to introduce his successor to the creditors https://t.co/Nm3wsCgVXJ— David Ndii (@DavidNdii) April 25, 2019
Raila had earlier disclosed that he would be in the presidential entourage to the Asian country to lobby for more money to complete the project.
According to the outspoken NRM leader, Miguna Miguna, DP Ruto’s fate has already been decided and he will not succeed in his quest to clinch the top seat.
The Canadian barrister noted: “Let me say this for the sake of those who don’t know or are too dishonest to say so openly: William Samoei Ruto’s 2022 fate is sealed.
“But not by the “hand cheque.” That’s just a distraction. Our duty as the #NRMKe is to DEFEAT both William Samoei Ruto and those who have sealed his fate,” Miguna exclaimed.