Mt. Kenya governors endorse Raila Odinga's bid to succeed President Kenyatta

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga was on Tuesday endorsed by a section governors from Mt. Kenya region counties in the race to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta in next year’s General Election.

Five governors from the region termed Odinga as their best bet saying the former Prime Minister is best suited to address their needs.

This came on the second day of Odinga's tour of Meru region, where the governors who accompanied him in various stops vowed to rally the mountain behind him.

“Nafikiria msimamo wangu unajulikana, na nimesema Baba tosha,” said Laikipia Governor Nderitu Muriithi.

“Raila has a lot of energy, the man is focused, he’s very bright, and he’s a strategist,” opined Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi.

Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki stated: “Kwa niaba ya huyu msichana anaitwa Tharaka Nithi, mimi nimefungua mlango ndio ukuje utongoze huyo msichana.”

Nyandarua Governor Francis Kimemia, on his part, said: “He’s a visionary, I can assure you Kenya is in safe hands, I can vouch him him...ikifika 2022, tumkumbuke na tumpatie kura.”

Embu County boss  Martin Wambora said: "Sisi kama Mt. Kenya East region, tutatembea na wewe mlimani na kila mahali."

To consolidate the region’s vote, Odinga brokered a peace deal between Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi and Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya, a move that followed apparent friction between the two politicians.

A section of the elders asked Odinga to consider Munya as his running mate in his yet to be declared bid.

Lawmakers from the Mt. Kenya region also accompanied Odinga in a show of numbers to tilt the scales in the ODM chief’s favour.

“Tumekuja hapa ili tukuwe na azimio moja, hapa tumeshikana kama mlima ili tuendelee mbele,” said Kieni MP Kanini Kega.

“Hata sisi hatutakuwachilia, sisi tutakuwa na wewe mpaka mwisho, mpaka uwe the fifth president of the republic of Kenya,” said former Dagoretti South MP Dennis Waweru.

Odinga on his part poured development promises at different campaign stops.

“Tumesema yale tulikuwa tumepanga tayari na Kibaki…kujenga grand falls Matonga…a big dama ambayo itatumiwa kunyunyiza maji pale ambapo hakuna mvua,” he said,

During the Azimio la Umoja meeting in Tharaka Nithi, Odinga challenged the country to revisit the dreams of freedom fighters and back his unity bid.

“We must first be united, and that is why I came up with the idea of Azimio la Umoja…let us unite then we will be able to achieve economic prosperity,” he stated.

The ODM leader also rallied unregistered voters to take advantage of the IEBC window and arm themselves with voters’ cards.