RAILA ODINGA HAS FOUND HIMSELF IN A TRICKY DILEMMA

Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku on Thursday ditched Jubilee Party for ODM in what now puts Azimio in a tight corner ahead of nominations.

Former governor David Ole Nkedianye early this month defected from ODM and joined Jubilee to face Lenku in the ruling party primaries.

The two leaders are Raila’s political buddies and their political interests now put the ODM boss in an awkward position, further complicating the fielding of candidates in Azimio.

Lenku was received by Raila at a function in Chungwa House on Thursday.

The Kajiado county boss said the ground has shifted to ODM, which prompted his decision.

“The Maa nation carries the Kenyan nation. These communities in our midst have consented to the decision that we move to ODM where I will be vying for the governor of Kajiado county,” Lenku said.

Apart from Kajiado, Azimio is also having nomination challenge in Mombasa, Homa Bay, Nairobi, Migori, Kisii, Siaya, Kisumu, Nairobi and Nyamira.

Raila, while welcoming Lenku, downplayed the nomination headache, saying there will be room for everyone.

He said Azimio’s main target is to clinch the presidency.

“There is no push and pull. Jubilee and ODM are friends. We are in Azimio’s bigger house where there are many rooms including ODM, Narc Kenya and Jubilee,” Raila said.

On Friday Raila will be taking his Azimio campaigns to Western Kenya where sibling rivalry in Azimio has heightened in the recent weeks.

In Kakamega ODM has at least three gubernatorial candidates: Deputy Governor Philip Kutima, Shinyalu MP Justus Kizito and Fernandez Barasa.

Lugari MP Ayub Savula is also gunning for the same seat under DAP-K.

In Vihiga, Governor Wilber Ottichilo is defending his seat on ODM while former Speaker Kenneth Marende is contesting the same position on DAP-K.

Vihiga Senator George Khaniri has also joined the Vihiga race on Cyrus Jirongo-led United Democratic Party of Kenya.

Meanwhile, the ODM leader will start with a tour of Teso North and Teso South in his campaigns in Western.

And on Saturday the Azimio team will be in Sabatia, Khwisero, Shibuli, Shianda, Matungu and later have a big rally in Mumias town

Raila team will then tour Shinyalu and Navakholo on Sunday.

Courtesy