This archive report was first published on 22 December 2019.
ODM party stalwart James Orengo has sparked a heated debate about the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report, claiming it will pave the way for Raila Odinga to become Kenya's next president.
Speaking at the funeral of Fredrick Omondi in Awelo, Siaya County, Orengo said the party wants to see Raila in the top seat, come 2022.
“This country wants to see Odinga leading us to Canaan through the BBI. Kenyans want to see Raila sworn in, not just as a figurehead, but as a real president,” Orengo said.
He added that if Raila takes the oath of office in 2022, it will be a different scenario from 2018 when he was sworn in as a 'people's president' in a ceremony at Uhuru Park.
Other ODM leaders, including Jakoyo Midiwo and Opiyo Wandayi, have also thrown their weight behind Raila, urging him to contest for the presidency in 2022.
“We will continue to support Odinga and will not ask for forgiveness,” Opiyo said.
However, Raila has been tight-lipped about his presidential ambitions, focusing instead on finding solutions to the country's problems.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has also downplayed the issue, saying that the country has not discussed the 2022 elections.
But analysts have interpreted Uhuru's stance as a ploy to prepare Raila for the presidency in 2022.
