Likoni MP Mishi Mboko has dismissed claims that Raila Odinga was finished politically, saying the ODM leader could still mount a serious bid for the presidency in 2022.
Speaking on 22 November 2018 at Bethania School in Likoni during a funds drive for Luo Progressive Group, Mboko said the handshake between Raila and President Uhuru Kenyatta did not bar him from contesting the next election. She argued that the Building Bridges Initiative formed part of Raila’s wider political strategy.
“Raila has gone back to the drawing board for strategies,” Mboko said, adding that critics were wrong to read his new role as African Union High Representative for Infrastructure Development as a retirement package. Raila has maintained that he is in politics to stay.
Mboko told supporters to wait for Raila’s next move, saying, “Hold your horses. He will soon unleash his plan for 2022.” She also said Mombasa governor Hassan Joho remained a possible fallback if Raila opted out of the race.
“Politics is like a relay race where the political baton can be passed over to Joho if Raila chooses to quit,” she said.
Raila’s critics had urged him to leave politics after the AU appointment, but Mboko insisted the position did not stop him from remaining active in the political arena.
Read: Raila's only option is to vie in 2022, Kalonzo a traitor - MP Odhiambo
