By Obegi Malack
obegimalack@gmail.com
Orange Democratic Party leader Raila Odinga’s rally in Kajiado County on Wednesday turned to a political battle between governor Joseph ole Lenku and former governor Dr David Nkedianye who are eyeing the governor’s seat on the Azimio la Umoja ticket in 2022.
Political temperatures were high when hundreds of supporters of the two gubernatorial aspirants stormed the Kajiado KCB stadium brandishing posters and blowing ‘vuvuzelas’ as they shouted the two aspirants’ slogans.
They took strategic positions awaiting the arrival of their leaders as the ODM leader held a meeting with them in a nearby hotel.
The meeting saw the three gubernatorial aspirants hold hands as a sign of “handshake”. Pictures were quickly shared on social media to cool political temperatures in the stadium.
Kajiado Central MP Memusi Kanchori who was one the masters of ceremony warned leaders against personal campaigns to ensure the meeting did not turn chaotic, preempting plans for some supporters to heckle certain leaders.
The MP told Raila to allow the electorate to decide who their county boss should be between Jubilee’s Lenku and Nkedianye of ODM.
Lenku said the Azimio la Umoja Movement can only have one candidate to battle it out with other Parties.
“Jubilee and ODM will produce one candidate. We want Raila to have his elected leaders,” he said, cleverly adding he had done a lot in the county.
His rival equally claimed a stake in major development projects in the county, saying only the electorate will decide who their next governor will be.
Another aspirant Tarayia ole Kores of ODM said they will follow the direction that Raila will give on the gubernatorial ticket.
“The meeting today was for Raila and he has said we agree. My competitors are UDA and not Lenku or Nkedianye,” he charged.
The political showdown also played out in Kitengela with some aspirants getting hostile reception.
ODM Party leader Raila Odinga found himself in a tight spot and steered clear of local politics.
He promised to ensure Kajiado benefits from Amboseli National Park in the same way Narok County Government is reaping from Maasai Mara National Park.
During the funeral of Mositet Korinko, former Kajiado Senator Peter Mositet’s father a few weeks ago, Raila said Azimio will use consensus or nomination to pick the county gubernatorial candidate on the Azimio la Umoja ticket.