Despite backing Raila Odinga’s presidential quest, Jubilee Party Director of Elections Kanini Kega warned the Mount Kenya region that the party does not entirely trust Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga.
On Saturday, April 9, the Kieni MP told Nyeri locals that the region would have to choose the least of two evils because they were unlikely to have a strong candidate who would mount a serious presidential campaign.
He was reflecting on the 2007 General Election, when Raila’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) teamed up with his enemy, Mwai Kibaki’s Party of National Unity (PNU), to form a grand coalition government.
President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga at the Azimio NDC on Tuesday.
He went on to say that the best way for the Mt Kenya region to protect its interests was to gain a majority in Parliament following the next General Election.
“Those who are vying for the Presidency, we don’t have our friend ( someone to secure interests). We have also toured the country extensively and we know Raila will become President on August 9. The question is this, when Raila becomes President, where will we be?” Kega asked the people.
The congressman cautioned the Mt Kenya area that Raila might win the presidency but fall short of securing a majority in Parliament.
In such case, he warned, the former Prime Minister may join forces with his competitor, Deputy President William Ruto, putting the Jubilee party out in the cold.
“When Baba wins the next General Election, if he doesn’t have enough MPs, he might even go and shake hands with the other person (Ruto) because it is possible. In 2007, it was possible. It is more likely for Ruto and Raila to re-unite than for them to remain permanent enemies,” the MP opined.
Residents should ensure that the Jubilee party wins a landslide victory in all elected seats, according to Kega, in order to protect their interests and ensure that their opinions are heard in the next government.
“Jubilee is the only party that is primarily from Mt Kenya. The rest have their bases and your neighbour’s house, no matter how warm and cosy it can be, will never be yours,” he added.
