This archive report was first published on 1 November 2021.
December 9 marks a significant day for Kenya's politics as ODM leader Raila Odinga is expected to declare his 2022 presidential candidature in a grand event at the Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi.
The event, which is part of the Azimio la Umoja convention, is expected to attract President Uhuru Kenyatta, other party leaders, diplomats, guests from around Africa, and ordinary Kenyans.
The Bomas of Kenya was chosen as the venue to project the symbolism of national unity that Mr Odinga has espoused during the nationwide caucuses initiated after the courts scuttled the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) campaign to amend the Constitution.
Organisers say the venue epitomises the cultural heritage and social fabric that unites the country, making it a natural stage for Mr Odinga's unity declaration under the Azimio la Umoja banner.
The Registrar of Political Parties, Anne Nderitu, has reserved the name 'Azimio la Umoja' as a possible coalition name following an application by Suna East MP Junet Mohammed, a confidant of Mr Odinga.
Mr Odinga is working on a pre-election coalition agreement with President Kenyatta's Jubilee Party and has been reaching out to the One Kenya Alliance (OKA) of Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi, Wiper's Kalonzo Musyoka, Moses Wetang'ula (Ford Kenya), and Gideon Moi (Kanu).
President Kenyatta hosted the OKA team in State House Nairobi for talks understood to revolve around the anticipated broad coalition.
Mr Mudavadi was non-committal on the agenda and outcome of the State House meeting, saying OKA is determined to produce the country's President next year.
