In Kenya, the presidential campaign gained new momentum for Raila Odinga on Saturday. At a rally in Nairobi, more than 20 political parties sealed their alliance in the Azimio la Umoja coalition (quest for unity in French). Among these supporters, the Jubilee, party of the head of state, Uhuru Kenyatta. The latter has already served two terms and therefore cannot run again. He had already announced that he would support his former rival in February, but it is now official.
With our correspondent in Nairobi, Albane Thirouard
The atmosphere was festive in the conference room despite the few hours late. President Uhuru Kenyatta spoke first. In front of more than 300 political delegates, he formalized his support for his former rival: “ We have no doubts, we have a team captain, his name is Raila Amolo Odinga “.
His political party, the Jubilee, thus officially joined the Azimio la Umoja coalition. Like more than 20 other parties present. Among them, one supporter stood out, after several weeks of speculation: that of the politician Kalonzo Musyoka. President Kenyatta has also welcomed his abandonment of the presidential race.
Raila Odinga was also delighted with this new alliance: “ I want to start by expressing my gratitude to all of you who came today and chose me as your presidential candidate. This appointment comes with the responsibility of leading Azimio la Umoja to victory in August. This race is one of the most improbable in the history of our country. No one could imagine that one day the political parties and individuals who clashed in the 2013 and 2017 elections could unite. »
Current Vice President William Ruto, main rival of Raila Odinga
To everyone’s surprise, Raila Odinga and Uhuru Kenyatta shook hands in 2018, marking the end of a violent post-election crisis. Now united, the former rivals then proceeded to a political rally in front of several thousand Kenyans.
Facing Raila Odinga, a main opponent: the current vice-president William Ruto. Initially intended to succeed Kenyatta, he is ignored by this new alliance and was even expelled from the Jubilee party at the end of February, but plans to maintain his presidential candidacy next August.