The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has endorsed Raila Odinga as the party’s presidential candidate ahead of the August general elections.

The announcement of Raila’s endorsement came during the party’s National Delegates Convention (NDC) at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani on Saturday.

The delegates voted for Raila to formally make him the ODM flag bearer and recommended the ODM candidate to Azimio La Umoja grand coalition.

The ODM elections board chairperson Catherine Muma made the announcement amid cheers and ululations from the delegates who were elated with the announcement.

“Honourable Raila Amolo Odinga, as the ODM candidate to be recommended to the Azimio Coalition. On behalf of NEP and as the Returning Officer for the ODM presidential nominations, I, therefore, wish to announce to the National Delegates Conference that the Right Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga is the only candidate we have to present to NDC for nomination to the position of ODM presidential candidate for the 2022 general elections," Muma said.

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"Pursuant to rule 1710 the ODM election and nomination rules, I Catherine Muyeka Muma, Chairperson National Elections Board and Returning Officer at the 2022 ODM electoral college, do hereby present the Right honourable Raila Odinga...and I request the candidate to please stand...I do here present...the Right honourable Raila Odinga as the ODM party presidential candidate for the 2022 general election,” Muma announced.

This declaration by the ODM delegates, therefore, has locked ODM presidential hopeful Jimi Wanjigi out of the presidential race.

Wanjigi was conspicuously absent from the NDC that started on Friday and will come to a close on Saturday.

The delegates have also mandated Raila and ODM to join Azimio La Umoja Coalition.

Raila’s endorsement comes after two other ODM presidential aspirants Ali Hassan Joho and Wycliffe Oparanya dropped out of the race and threw their weight behind Raila.