Meria
Elder Lister
Luo Elders led by East African Legislative Assembly MP Oburu Odinga, and Siaya Senator James Orengo, visited the Mt Kenya region and held talks with Central Elders on Friday, December 18.
The discussions were centred around peace, the BBI and an alleged 2022 election plan by ODM leader Raila Odinga and President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Odinga is expected to tour Central Kenya in early 2021 to campaign for the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) and also counter Deputy President William Ruto's influence in the region.
His brother Oburu, Senator Orengo and a delegation of ODM politicians met Mt Kenya elders in Kieni, Nyeri Constituency. Accompanying the Central leaders were Kieni MP, Kanini Kega and Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi.
"It is not true to say that an expanded Executive featuring a Prime Minister and two deputies was invented by Kenyatta. Kibaki had the same plans in 1997 while running for office," Governor Muriithi stated.
"We know that the road ahead is bumpy. We are at the takeoff stage just like an aeroplane. When we reach the cruising level, all will be smooth," Kenyatta's ally, Kanini Kega, added.
Oburu lauded the two camps who met to discuss posterity and urged Mt Kenya to change their attitude towards other leaders. He recalled Luo Elders hosting their Central counterparts at Raila Odinga's Bondo, Siaya home in October 2020.
"The Bondo visit had a huge impact on us. The political union between Nyanza and Mt Kenya is here to stay. No more memoranda of understanding on paper. This Nyeri meeting will be the foundation of this political union," he said.
During the Bondo meeting, the elders committed to working together in promoting their cultural interests in the context of a peaceful, united and prosperous nation.
Reports allege that Odinga and Kenyatta may be planning on how to run the government past 2022. However, Odinga denied the claims arguing that he had not declared interest in the Presidency. Kenyatta also insisted that he would retire when his term ends.
The two, nonetheless, are facing stiff political competition from Ruto who is making inroads in various regions and supporting candidates of his choice in by-elections. Independent candidate Feisal Bader whom he supported trounced ODM's Omar Boga in Msambweni, Kwale, as Jubilee opted against fielding a candidate.
The by-election for Matungu Constituency, slated for March 2021, may see Ruto face-off with Jubilee Party who are interested in fielding a candidate. ODM too will support its candidate, same for Amani National Congress under Musalia Mudavadi.
The discussions were centred around peace, the BBI and an alleged 2022 election plan by ODM leader Raila Odinga and President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Odinga is expected to tour Central Kenya in early 2021 to campaign for the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) and also counter Deputy President William Ruto's influence in the region.
His brother Oburu, Senator Orengo and a delegation of ODM politicians met Mt Kenya elders in Kieni, Nyeri Constituency. Accompanying the Central leaders were Kieni MP, Kanini Kega and Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi.
"It is not true to say that an expanded Executive featuring a Prime Minister and two deputies was invented by Kenyatta. Kibaki had the same plans in 1997 while running for office," Governor Muriithi stated.
"We know that the road ahead is bumpy. We are at the takeoff stage just like an aeroplane. When we reach the cruising level, all will be smooth," Kenyatta's ally, Kanini Kega, added.
Oburu lauded the two camps who met to discuss posterity and urged Mt Kenya to change their attitude towards other leaders. He recalled Luo Elders hosting their Central counterparts at Raila Odinga's Bondo, Siaya home in October 2020.
"The Bondo visit had a huge impact on us. The political union between Nyanza and Mt Kenya is here to stay. No more memoranda of understanding on paper. This Nyeri meeting will be the foundation of this political union," he said.
During the Bondo meeting, the elders committed to working together in promoting their cultural interests in the context of a peaceful, united and prosperous nation.
Reports allege that Odinga and Kenyatta may be planning on how to run the government past 2022. However, Odinga denied the claims arguing that he had not declared interest in the Presidency. Kenyatta also insisted that he would retire when his term ends.
The two, nonetheless, are facing stiff political competition from Ruto who is making inroads in various regions and supporting candidates of his choice in by-elections. Independent candidate Feisal Bader whom he supported trounced ODM's Omar Boga in Msambweni, Kwale, as Jubilee opted against fielding a candidate.
The by-election for Matungu Constituency, slated for March 2021, may see Ruto face-off with Jubilee Party who are interested in fielding a candidate. ODM too will support its candidate, same for Amani National Congress under Musalia Mudavadi.
