Revealed:Why Uhuru is Not Campaigning For Raila Odinga as Promised

President Uhuru Kenyatta did not think twice about endorsing Martha Karua as the running mate in Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party, according to insiders close to the presidency. 

Karua’s entry into the coalition also made Uhuru to reportedly take a step back in campaigning for the flagbearer, Raila Odinga, as he believed she was capable of swinging Mt Kenya to their side. 

Uhuru had previously promised to campaign for Raila, but his proxies have recently come out to state that he won’t be part of the campaign trail anymore. 

Why so? Prior to Karua, the Narc-Kenya party leader, being declared as Raila’s deputy, Uhuru was said to be intent on picking a running mate from his party, Jubilee, but ultimately thought they had less effect in countering Deputy President William Ruto’s influence in the Mt Kenya region. 

Among the names that were fronted for the running mate position included Agriculture CS, Peter Munya, Murang’a Woman Representative, Sabina Chege and former Gatanga MP, Peter Kenneth. 

The trio was part of Raila’s campaign even before he announced his candidature. After Karua was selected as running mate, Munya was assured of retaining the Agricultural docket in Raila’s administration while Chege is reportedly posied to land a Cabinet Secretary role too. 

Karua immediately hit the ground running after beating Wiper leader, Kalonzo Musyoka and the Mt Kenya leaders to the running mate seat and her popularity has soared, instilling fear in their rivals, Kenya Kwanza camp led by DP Ruto.

To that effect, Uhuru took a more behind the scene approach to finance and coordinate the campaigns. This strategy ensured that he also avoids smearing Raila’s campaigns with Jubilee failures, a selling point for Kenya Kwanza alliance. 

Explaining Uhuru’s role in Raila campaigns during an interview on NTV on May 22, Jubilee party vice chairperson, David Murathe, stated that the Head of State would not engage in the campaigns stating as the selected team was strong enough. 

“The President has done his bit. He has been the chair of the Azimio council. Now that we have a ticket and a running mate it is up to them to go and campaign now. The President has to keep of now. Uhuru has to rise above and become the Head of State,” he stated.