The debate on who is ODM leader Raila Odinga’s preferred Kajiado County gubernatorial candidate was put to bed on Thursday afternoon after Governor Joseph Ole Lenku was given the nod in Nairobi.
Lenku was handed a nomination certificate by Mr. Odinga himself, which clears him as the party’s and by large, the Azimio Lala Umoja preferred candidate for the seat. Lenku was making his official defection from Jubilee to ODM and was received at a colorful and fully packed event at Orange house, Nairobi.
The move is a major blow to his rival David Nkedianye who had ditched ODM for Jubilee with the hope of sailing through the joint nominations.
In his acceptance speech, Lenku promised to deliver Kajiado and Maa community votes to Odinga and at least 20 MCA seats to the Azimio la Umoja team.” I want to assure you that Kajiado is an Azimio zone and we are going to deliver,” a visibly fired up Lenku said.
He revisited his previous remarks that Kajiado is not a battleground, emphasizing that as the Maa Community spokesman, the region is going to fully back Mr. Odinga for the Presidency.” Today I have come here as the Maa Community spokesman. And l mean from Marsabit down to Leitoktok in Kajiado, we are going to fully support you,” Lenku is also the chairman of the Maa Counties Economic block.
He was accompanied by ODM Kajiado Chairman Tarayia Ole Kores, Kajiado majority leader Julius Moipai, minority leader Daniel Naikuni, county assembly whips from both ODM and Jubilee as well as Wiper MCAs.
Lenku’s defection has sent political shockwaves to his rival camps. Political observers have predicted a titanic battle between him and Nkedianye for the Jubilee ticket. His tactical move to ODM raises his chances because he automatically becomes Odinga’s preferred candidate.
While welcoming Lenku to the party, Odinga said that the Azimio la Umoja dream was becoming more realistic and nearer as we head to the August elections. ” We welcome you and this confirms what the Azimio dream is all about. I am confident that we are going to deliver,” Odinga said.
ODM party chairman John Mbadi, Director of Political Affairs Opiyo Wandayi, and nominated senator Judith Pareno were present. A mega rally under the leadership of Governor Lenku has been scheduled and will be graced by Odinga and President Uhuru.
