Uhuru tells OKA principals to back Raila Odinga for president in 2022 or lose

President Uhuru Kenyatta, Raila Odinga and One Kenya Alliance held a consultative meeting on Tuesday at State House, Mombasa.

During the meeting also attended by Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, Uhuru is said to have told the OKA principals that Raila had the best chance of beating his errant deputy.

During the meeting, Uhuru reportedly showed his guests an opinion poll that placed the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader far ahead in popularity.

The president urged the other luminaries to support Raila’s presidency, as it was the only they could beat his deputy William Ruto, in the 2022 presidential elections.

Uhuru warned Raila Odinga, Musalia Mudavadi, Kalonzo Musyoka, Moses Wetangula and Gideon Moi that they risked losing to Ruto if they did not unite and face him as a formidable team.

The president maintains his stand that Raila remains the most suitable candidate among the rest to race Ruto to the State House.

However, sources say the meeting did not bear the desired fruits, as they did not reach a unanimous agreement.

Kalonzo and Moi are reported to be flexible and welcoming to the idea of supporting Raila.

ANC’s Musalia Mudavadi and Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka have previously insisted that they will be on the presidential ballot and would not play second fiddle to Raila again.

During the meeting, the leaders also discussed among other things, COVID19's impact on the country and how to revamp the economy.

They also discussed the importance of maintaining peace, unity and national cohesion.

Uhuru has lately been perceived to drum up support for Raila to succeed him against his deputy after a fallout between the two.

The rift between Uhuru and Ruto has lately widened to a great proportion with the latter complaining of maltreatment within the government.