Mt. Kenya Foundation endorses Raila Odinga for president in 2022

The Mount Kenya Foundation (MKF) has endorsed the candidature of ODM leader Raila Odinga in next year’s presidential election after months of vetting various presidential hopefuls.

At a luncheon graced by four Cabinet Secretaries and other senior government officials on Wednesday, Agriculture CS Peter Munya read the resolutions of the meeting, surrendering the aspirations of the region to the Azimio la Umoja led by Odinga.

This comes just two days to the Azimio la Umoja convention during which Odinga is expected to declare whether he will be bidding to be president a fifth time.

Peter Munga, the MKF Chair, said: “The purpose of today’s meeting is to host the forthcoming president of Kenya so that we can escort him to Kasarani for Azimio la Umoja.”

GEMA Chair Bishop Lawi Imathiuon his part stated: “Tunataka mtu ataunganisha Wakenya wote kila mahali. Mimi nakuambia bila uwoga, kama hutaweza tuambie halafu uketi tujaribu kutafuta watu wengine.”

The meeting was attended by four Cabinet Secretaries from the region, Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho, Chief Administrative Secretaries, four governors and Members of Parliament who have been accompanying Odinga in his tours of Mt. Kenya.

CS Munya read the aspirations of the forum, heavy on stating why they are choosing Odinga and not Deputy President William Ruto.

“We have also witnessed what corruption can do to an economy and cannot imagine a Kenya wgere looters are in-charge. Our economy-related issues are complex and cannot be reduced to a mere slogan, catchy phrases or handouts,” said the CS.

For ministers who have been more affiliated to President Uhuru Kenyatta, they were keen on sustaining the president’s legacy, which the forum believes is best in the hands of Odinga.

“Azimio la Umoja guarantees the continuity of the legacy and projects implemented by President Uhuru Kenyatta. The people of Mt. Kenya have no confidence in sweet talking people who want to take advantage of our problems and use them as fodder for electioneering without offering concrete solutions,” added CS Munya.

A section of political, community and Mount Kenya Foundation leaders signed off Munya’s statement.

An elated Odinga however did not reveal acceptance of the endorsement, instead postponing his response.

“I thank you for what you are doing here, telling me that we’re together with you, but I am not going to respond to the request until Friday…nitatoa jawabu,” said the former Prime Minister.

Heavy in the concerns are economic issues of the region with Odinga promising to embark on nurturing the private sector for more opportunities.

“The solution is the private sector. In developed economies people don’t go knock at the government for employment, it is much more prestigious to be working in America for General Motors, Boeing, Microsoft than a secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” he stated.

And as the participants set off to go prepare for Friday’s event, they also resolved to form a technical team that will negotiate the region’s concerns with Odinga ahead of the general election.