NNN.NG: The Azimio La Umoja political coalition on Saturday featured ODM party leader Raila Odinga as its presidential standard-bearer in the upcoming general election.

More than 20 political parties affiliated with Azimio La Umoja signed two pacts creating the coalition and endorsing Mr. Odinga’s candidacy respectively at the new team’s National Delegates Conference (NDC) held at KICC.

Speaking at the NDC, President Kenyatta, who is the leader of the ruling Jubilee Party, thanked the parties affiliated with Azimio La Umoja for choosing Mr. Odinga as the coalition’s standard-bearer in the upcoming elections and said the leader of the ODM had what it took to win the election. .

“Today we have come together as delegates from different political parties and we have elected without opposition Mr. Raila Amolo Odinga as the candidate for the presidency of Azimio la Umoja.

“I have no doubt that he is capable, he has the will and God willing he will be able to ensure that our nation advances in development and unity,” President Kenyatta announced.

He expressed confidence that Mr. Odinga will defeat his opponents in the August 9 elections, giving him the opportunity to lead the country in addressing some of its main challenges, including endemic corruption.

The President thanked the captains of Azimio La Umoja affiliated parties, led by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, for setting aside their presidential ambitions for the sake of Kenya‘s unity and progress, assuring that the coalition is a vehicle inclusive politician who will have everyone on board.

“When the government is formed, there will be Kalonzo Musyoka, Gideon (Moi), Charity Ngilu and others. We will see representation from everyone here because that is the only way to be successful.

“We have resolved in the agreements that we have signed that we will sit down together with our brother (Raila), who is now our captain and brother Kalonzo and others to decide the rest of the line-up that will form the Government in August”, said the revealed President.

In his acceptance speech, Mr. Odinga thanked President Kenyatta and all the political leaders of the Azimio La Umoja coalition for nominating him as their presidential standard-bearer and vowed to fight for victory in the general election.

“Let me start by saying that I accept the nomination of Azimio La Umoja to run for the presidency of the Republic of Kenya in the general elections on August 9. I accept this nomination with absolute gratitude and dedication to our people, our country and all the leaders and parties that have endorsed it. You gave me a strong, wide, unified platform to stand on and extra pairs of hands to help stabilize the boat,” said Mr. Odinga.

The former Prime Minister paid a laudatory tribute to President Kenyatta for his role in forging the Azimio La Umoja coalition and for working hard to unite Kenyans for harmony and national progress during his tenure.

“No one ever imagined that parties and individuals who fought on opposite sides in 2013 and 2017 would come together. I thank my friend and brother President Uhuru for this unlikely journey that we began four years ago and that has changed the history and politics of this country,” said Mr. Odinga.

If elected president, Mr. Odinga promised to improve the economy, fight poverty and corruption, and build on President Kenyatta’s legacy.

“I pledge to lead an all-out war against poverty, unemployment and hopelessness in Kenya and to update Article 43 of our Constitution which guarantees Kenyans the rights to education, health, food, water, housing and social security. No Kenyan should feel forgotten in our country,” promised Mr. Odinga.

Later, the Azimio La Umoja brigade led by President Kenyatta and Mr. Odinga addressed a massive political rally at Jacaranda Grounds in Embakasi East constituency, where they vowed to unite and fight hard for victory in the upcoming elections. elections.

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka recounted his long political association with Odinga, saying that he had wholeheartedly chosen to back the ODM leader’s presidential ambition in order to unite Kenyans in their fight for a fair and just society.

Mr. Musyoka pledged to team up with the entire leadership of Azimio La Umoja in a vigorous national campaign that will lead to the election of Mr. Odinga as the fifth President of the Republic of Kenya.

“I thought that Raila would endorse me for the presidency this time, but with a clean heart, I will support him. I am ready to seek votes for Raila Odinga across the country,” Musyoka said.

Governors Charity Ngilu (Kitui) and Hassan Joho (Mombasa), politician Mukhisa Kituyi and area MP Babu Owino were among other leaders who spoke at the politically charged Jacaranda Grounds rally.

News Summary: Azimio La Umoja Unveils ODM Leader Raila Odinga As Its Presidential Flag Bearer

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