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2022 Succession: Inside Raila’s bag of goodies for Mt Kenya

Friday, August 27th, 2021 09:58 | By
ODM party leader Raila Odinga.Photo/PD.

ODM leader Raila Odinga has said that he is open to talks with leaders from Central Kenya ahead of the 2022 general elections.

While responding to a journalist who asked whether the former Prime Minister will pick a running mate from Mt Kenya if he runs for presidency, Raila claimed that he has always had the best interests at heart when it comes to the Central region block.

"I am open to working with the people of Mount Kenya. I campaigned for Kibaki in Central Kenya after he had the accident, when he was in a wheelchair until we won the elections in 2002," Raila said during the Friday, August 27 press conference at his Karen residence in Nairobi.

The ODM leader further revealed that he was the one who designed the road networks that are being built in the region when he served as Minister for Transport in President Mwai Kibaki's government.

"I oversaw the planning and construction of Thika super highway from Nairobi to Thika. At that time the residents from Mt Kenya were saying that Raila wants to finish their businesses. In fact, I am the one who made the ongoing construction of the Kenol-Maruo road possible," Raila said.

The former PM further promised to address the concern of coffee and tea farmers from the region adding that the exploitation of farmers in the area is what triggers the high rate of unemployment in Central Kenya.

While responding to accusations that his handshake with President Uhuru Kenyatta derailed the execution of the Big 4 agenda and further development in the region, Raila said that he has always worked with leaders from Central Kenya, stating that he and Uhuru came together to ease tension in the country and create a conducive business environment in the region.

"I am not in the government. For those saying that the handshake stopped the Big 4 agenda that is just political chatter, they are the ones taking a salary from the government but instead of working, they are campaigning," Raila said.

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