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Kenya: Thousands Throng Kasarani for Odinga’s Azimio La Umoja Convention

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4 years ago

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Nairobi — Thousands of delegates braved the chilly weather in Nairobi on Friday to attend Raila Odinga’s Azimio la Umoja Convention where the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader is was expected to formally declare his 2022 presidential bid.

Some of the delegates at Kasarani came from far flung areas arrived as early as 3am to wait for the gates to open.

Despite the rains, excitement was in air, with attendees united in supporting Odinga’s bid for the presidency in the 2022 General Election.

“I am here to support Baba,” a delegate said. “I am sure he is going to be our fifth president at his faith stab at presidency.”

Organizers of the convention had projected to have the stadium full to capacity despite the two-thirds capacity restriction in line with COVID-19 containment guidelines.

A third of the slots in the stadium had been occupied by 9am.

Odinga was scheduled to arrive at the sports complex at 11.30am before addressing delegates at 2.30pm.

The convention given a wide berth by Odinga’s former allies in the National Super Alliance (NASA), now coalescing around the One Kenya Alliance (OKA), was also expected to unveil a political alliance to rival OKA and Deputy President William Ruto-led Hustler Nation movement under the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi and FORD Kenya’s Moses Wetangula both announced the unavailability on Thursday citing prior commitments.

Mudavadi described Odinga as “a worthy competitor,” adding “I wish him well because tomorrow will clearly be his day in the sun.”

Wetangula tweeted a similar message while Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka indicated that he was on Juba for official engagements at President Uhuru Kenyatta’s special envoy to South Sudan.

Odinga has been endorsed by the Mount Kenya Foundation (MKF), a league of top business leaders from central region.

The MKF declaration on Wednesday said their decision to back Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader’s presidential bid had the backing of President Kenyatta.

MKF said President Kenyatta had also cleared them to grace Odinga’s Azimio la Umoja convention.

Odinga has hinged his 2022 campaign of a unity platform, visiting ten regions to popularize the Azimio la Umoja clarion call in what was set to culminate with a declaration of his fifth stab at the presidency.