Good morning,
There is no doubt that the battleground to watch ahead of the August Presidential race is the Mt Kenya region and all indications at the moment point to Deputy President William Ruto having an upper hand over his rival Azimio flagbearer Raila Odinga.
The challenge to climb the mountain is relatively harder for Raila after some of the aspirants under the Azimio coalition seemingly got cold feet and refused to publicly campaign for him over the fear of being associated with him.
Another challenge for the former Prime Minister is that his biggest asset in the region, President Uhuru Kenyatta, is yet to hit the ground running and start campaigns for him with just three months to the elections.
However, the Azimio camp has now promised incentives for its candidates in the region including financial aid during campaigns and promise of government jobs in case they lose their individual contests but Raila wins the presidency.
During a meeting with the aspirants, Raila admitted it may be tougher for them to sell him in Mt Kenya as compared to other regions but encouraged them to be brave and optimistic, promising to help them in their campaigns financially.
Do you think the latest charm offensive by Raila to change his fortunes in Mt Kenya will eventually work?
Meanwhile, here are the stories making headlines on Opera News today:
Insiders Reveal Top Candidate for Ruto’s Running Mate
According to sources, the panel took into account loyalty, personality, expertise as well as public record and is a step closer to naming his preferred running mate in his quest to clinch the presidency in the upcoming August 2022 General Election.
According to sources inside the United Democratic Alliance, the panel entrusted with proposing a candidate to be DP Ruto’s running partner for the August 9 elections has locked in on..
Kilonzo Jr Speaks On Kalonzo Receiving Money From Ruto to Fight Raila
Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Junior has opened up on the allegations that Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka has been receiving a huge sum of money from Deputy President William Samoei Ruto to fight former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s Presidency and cause confusion inside the Azimio coalition as new details emerge.
Speaking to the Nation, Senator Mutula Kilonzo has said that claims that Kalonzo is on the payroll of DP Ruto, it is false and that they cannot reach such a point of belittling themselves.
Azimio Aspirants in Mt Kenya Raise Raila Worries
The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party is confronting the dilemma of its aspirants in Mt Kenya shunning Mr Raila Odinga’s symbol on their campaign posters and avoiding marketing his presidential bid, citing hostility from voters.
Some aspirants have resorted to using Jubilee Party colors and are avoiding campaigning for Mr Odinga so as not to jeopardise their own bids in a region largely perceived as backing Deputy President William Ruto and his United Democratic Alliance (UDA).