Raila woos Meru as Ruto campaigns in Narok, Kiambu
Azimio's presidential candidate Raila Odinga on Saturday, June 18, 2022, took his campaigns to Kinoru stadium in Meru county as his Kenya Kwanza counterpart, Deputy President William Ruto, rallied his supporters in Narok and Kiambu county.
The presidential campaigns have hit a fever pitch as the frontrunners traverse the nation in search of support to bolster their chances in the forthcoming elections.
Raila was accompanied to the fully packed Kinoru Stadium by his running mate Martha Karua, his Chief cabinet secretary nominee Kalonzo Musyoka, host governor Kiraitu Murungi, and CS Agriculture Peter Munya, among other notable figures within the coalition.
Speakers at the rally outlined Raila's critical agenda, with Meru leaders lauding him for his contribution to lifting the two-year miraa export ban by the Somalian government.
"Raila influenced the Somalian government's lifting of the miraa export ban. We will welcome him here in Kinoru stadium after his swearing-in as the fifth president," Governor Kiraitu said.
Echoing Kiraitu Murungi's sentiments on Raila's influence in lifting the two-year miraa export ban, CS Peter Munya affirmed to farmers that the Somalian government and the Kenyan government would ink a deal on July 5, 2022, to formally end the stalemate.
On their part, Martha Karua and Kalonzo Musyoka exuded confidence that Raila Odinga would net a considerable chunk of votes in the vast Mt Kenya region. 
Raila reiterated his pledge of free education from primary to university level should he ascend to power. The ODM supremo also took a swipe at his main competitor William Ruto for unfulfilling his 2013 promises.
He also vowed to support agriculture by improving farmers' access to affordable inputs such as seeds, fertilizer, chemicals, and credit facilities.
Ruto campaigns in Narok and Kiambu
Kenya Kwanza presidential flagbearer William Ruto started his Saturday political lap with an appearance at John Ololtuaa's Kilgoris Constituency bid launch.
Ruto was flanked by ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi, Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula, Narok Governor Samuel Ole Tunai, and former CAS Patrick Ole Ntutu, among others.
Speaking at the rally, Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula claimed that President Uhuru Kenyatta had abandoned Raila Odinga despite being the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition party chair.
Wetangula stated that Uhuru, who gave Raila's manifesto launch a wide berth, has foreseen a win for William Ruto in the upcoming August general elections.
"It seems that President Uhuru Kenyatta has foreseen a Kenya Kwanza win on August 9, which is why he has abandoned his project (Raila Odinga) and told him to seek votes on his own. Have you seen Uhuru and Raila walking together in rallies?" the lawmaker posed.
On his part, DP Ruto took the platform to preach peace before and after the general elections. The second-in-command challenged his competitors to base their campaigns on ideas, issues, and development programmes. He stated that his coalition is committed to engaging in peaceful campaigns.
"For decades, the potential of pastoralists has been ignored. We will end this through investments in infrastructure and value addition in the meat value chain and industries such as skin/leather because we believe in an economy built by all Kenyans from the bottom going up," Ruto stated.
After wrapping up his Narok rally, the presidential hopeful led his troops to a rally in Ndumberi, Kiambu county.
Ruto was joined by his allies from the Mt Kenya region, led by his running mate Rigathi Gachagua. It was expected that the Kenya Kwanza flagbearer would seek to calm the storm brewing within his coalition. His running mate Rigathi Gachagua recently brushed shoulders with Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria and former Kiambu governor William Kabogo; hence the Kiambu rally was viewed as a housekeeping mission.
Speaking at the rally, the Deputy President outlined his plan promising to uplift the lives of the downtrodden. He also vowed to support the agricultural sector should he ascend to power in August.
